It has been a while since we last heard anything about One Cycling, the ambitious cycling project aiming to completely reshape the sport. Although a launch is not imminent, the project is reportedly not entirely off the table according to Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics.
The latest news we received about One Cycling dates back to early summer. At that time, the UCI sent a letter to all team managers and WorldTour race organizers, warning them of the consequences if the project were to proceed. One Cycling was deemed incompatible with the UCI's governance and regulatory framework. They also pointed out a lack of sporting coherence.
The investment fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), through its sports division SURJ, plans to invest 300 million euros spread over three seasons to ensure the launch of One Cycling. This project is driven by Visma | Lease a Bike, EF Education-EasyPost, Ineos Grenadiers, Soudal Quick-Step, and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, together with organizer Flanders Classics. Six other WorldTeams and Giro organizer RCS have also joined.
Initially, 2026 was mentioned as the start date, with plans to add new top-level races in Colombia, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. However, the UCI can still block this before 2026.
Will the UCI be convinced as well? - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Van Den Spiegel: "There will come a time when we have no other choice"
But how much longer can they hold on? "I think the minds have matured. There has been a lot of hard work around this topic in the past months and years; it’s just a bit quieter now," says Flanders Classics CEO Van Den Spiegel.
"But I think everyone agrees that the road calendar will inevitably change in the future. And if cycling wants to reach its global potential at some point, changes need to be made. That can only happen if all stakeholders row in the same direction."
But how do you get everyone on board? "The UCI must be part of the story, of course, but you can’t ignore the fact that ASO is a key player. Look, I’m confident that the plan isn’t shelved forever. A time will come when we won’t have a choice. In that sense, I see a similar challenge as in cyclo-cross," Van Den Spiegel explains.
"Namely: how do we, as road cycling and cyclo-cross, ensure that despite all the competition we face today from other sports and various forms of entertainment, we still matter in the future? Maybe one day we can be even a fraction as big as Formula 1. That won’t be in 2026—that was always very optimistic—but hopefully sometime after."
