Tickets for the roadside?
In 2026, the ski station Alpe d'Huez at the centre of the Tour de France. The climb takes place on two days on different routes. Hundreds of thousands of cycling fans are therefore expected around the climb. A good time to cash in? "Let's privatise the last five kilometres to Alpe d'HuezLet's charge for entry, let's create VIP areas, let's come up with something to make money! In the history of cycling, it (Alpe d'Huez, editor's note) is popular, it's a free sport. But a free sport where there are no more riders on the road because there are only two teams, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, is less fun," he explained on the RMC podcast "Grand Plateau".
French cycling in crisis
Financial turmoil is shaking French cycling after the 2025 season, with the Arkéa - B&B Hotels team disappearing completely, Cofidis losing its WorldTour status and TotalEnergies on the brink of losing its main sponsor. These developments have alarmed industry experts such as Jérôme Pineau, who expressed his concerns on the RMC podcast "Grand Plateau". The former professional and sports director sees cycling trapped in a system that starves teams financially while organisers and federations earn millions. He particularly criticises the UCI and Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), as they profit from the performance of the riders without remunerating them appropriately.
The problem is clearly evident when it comes to acquiring sponsors for French teams. While other sports can offer their partners attractive hospitality packages, cycling teams have to pay extra for VIP areas. This structural disadvantage exacerbates the already difficult financial situation of the teams and makes them less attractive to potential sponsors. At the same time, the UCI is investing millions in prestigious projects such as the World Championships in Rwanda, while traditional European teams are struggling to survive.
Pineau: radical proposal
"Let's privatise the last five kilometres of the Alpe d'Huez", Pineau demanded provocatively in the podcast. His vision includes paid access, VIP areas and commercial structures to open up new sources of revenue for cycling. The proposal aims to break away from the traditional free spectator model and give teams a direct share of the revenue. Pineau argues that a free system without sufficient funding for the players will lead to collapse in the long term if only financially strong teams such as UAE Team Emirates and Bahrain - Victorious remain competitive.
The criticism is particularly directed at the existing distribution structure for major events. At Paris-Roubaix, for example, ASO collects the income from VIP areas such as the Trouée d'Arenberg, while the teams that provide the actual spectacle go away empty-handed. Pineau sees this injustice as the main cause of the financial imbalance in cycling. His radical reform proposals are intended to turn teams into equal partners who benefit directly from the marketing of their sporting achievements.
Madiot's counter-proposal: Swiss solution
Marc Madiot, team manager of Groupama-FDJ, contradicted Pineau's plans in the same podcast. "I am in favour of free access, we are the last big free sport," emphasised the experienced team manager. Instead, Madiot proposes structural reforms that put all teams on an equal footing. His core demand: All WorldTour teams should be legally based in Switzerland in order to create identical social costs and tax conditions. This harmonisation would eliminate the unfair competitive advantage of foreign teams that benefit from more favourable labour laws.
The different national regulations put French teams at a considerable disadvantage. While international competitors can employ their drivers as self-employed persons, French labour law stipulates fixed employment contracts. These regulatory differences lead to considerable cost disadvantages that cannot be compensated for by sporting performance alone. Madiot is therefore calling for a "salary cap" or "budget cap" similar to other professional sports in order to create fair competitive conditions. His Swiss solution would enable legal equality while retaining the traditionally free spectator access.
Discussion about Pineau's idea
Entry fees are a very controversial topic in cycling. While tickets for the finish area are widespread, extending them to the last five kilometres of the climb would be a taboo. As a result, the proposal met with a lot of resistance on social media. Users pointed out that the cycling races are interesting for sponsors and TV precisely because of the many spectators. "No, no, please leave it free for the fans. Many are already making financial sacrifices to travel from far and wide to enjoy the fan experience of a lifetime. It should be as accessible as possible," commented one user on X. Another added sarcastically: "Let's charge entry for all the crucial climbs! Pogi's attacks shouldn't be for the peasants to see! Man, what an idiot."
Kristian Bauer
Editor
