Marc Madiot wishes UCI would take actions to stabilise the professional cycling: "I don't just expect them on the height of the socks"

Marc Madiot was naturally present at the presentation of the Groupama-FDJ ahead of this season. Change of bikes, restructuring of the technical staff, Thibaut Pinot and Arnaud Démare leaving the team... a lot of things have changed for this traditional French team for 2024, but fear doesn't resonate within Madiot.

"New chapter, new book, new story. There is desire, motivation and determination, I have no particular apprehension about the arrival of the season. My wish for 2024? The same as in previous years: winning races. As much as possible, as often as possible and as big as possible," he affirms Cyclism'Actu.

"What would be embarrassing would be to resemble football more and more, even if I love football. We must not resemble it. We must know how to keep our values, our benchmarks, and I expect a lot from UCI in this area. I don't just expect them on the height of the socks, I expect them on the regulation of our sport. The salary cap, taking into account the tax disadvantages that we can have in France..."

"What has happened in recent weeks with mergers and transfers highlights shows a certain fragility of our sport, which appears solid as a rock but which in fact rests on a lot of sand. Cycling is condemned to do better, otherwise it will be eaten up by other sports. We must not forget that there is a struggle between all sports to find sponsorship and resources."