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Canceled Cycling Events — Why Can’t I Get My Money Back?

As the coronavirus has swept across the country, it has shut down virtually all collective gatherings of people. This includes a lot of mass participation sporting events, like bicycling rides and gran fondos, as well as 10K road running races, marathons and the like. Several well-known off-road and gravel events have announced cancellations or postponements in just the last few days. While no one is surprised that some of these events are having to reschedule, some cycling enthusiasts and recreational riders seem to be surprised, or even angry, that their registration fees are not always refunded. A lot of cyclists are asking, “why can’t I get my money back?” The Outer Line reached out to several event organizers to answer to this question, and provide some perspective on the situation. First, we need to remember that event organizers have been hit just as hard by COVID-19 as the rest...

How Pro Teams Can Reach Fans During Pro Cycling’s Shutdown

During this unprecedented time, it is more critical than ever that pro cycling teams find new and creative ways to stay engaged with their fans, and to continue to deliver value to their sponsors. The Outer Line surveys team initiatives in the lockdown situation so far, and throws out a broad range of engagement ideas for teams to consider. This is an unprecedented time for pro cycling teams. Like virtually every other entity across the global community, teams are cautiously inching forward. Without much idea of what the near-term future holds, team managers are anxiously trying to determine the best ways to keep their teams motivated and fit, how to develop new revenue models, how to innovate new methods of fan engagement, and how to provide at least some value to economically challenged sponsors. There really isn’t a roadmap for this kind of situation in any professional sport; yet,...

Coronavirus Poses a Major Threat to Pro Cycling Sponsorships

Pro cycling managers are worried that the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic could spell financial ruin for teams across the sport, as major sponsorship contracts could be annulled or ignored by the unprecedented strain placed on major companies by the virus. This sentiment was one of several alarming perspectives that were shared with The Outer Line by multiple team managers we spoke to about the mounting pandemic and its potential impact on the sport. The Outer Line recently reached out to team managers to find out how they are coping with the racing shutdown in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown. While it’s clear that most don’t want to speculate publicly about where things are headed, several were willing to speak off-the-record. Their general hope is that the sport will still be able to recover some of its season, and that sponsors will receive at least some return on their investments....

How the 2017 UCI World Championships in Norway Went Bankrupt

Background: Countries, regions and cities often compete to host popular sporting competitions. Such events traditionally raise the profile of the host city or country, often creating a long-term increase in visibility and tourism. The Beijing Olympics – estimated to have been viewed by 4.7 billion people – helped spark a major tourism boom in China. At the same time, major sporting events can also change the international perception or reputation of the host country. China softened its hardline communist international image with its Olympics, and South Africa heralded its post-apartheid arrival when it hosted (and won) the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In addition, sporting events can spur major investment programs in public infrastructure and transportation systems which can benefit the region long after the event is over. In turn, this can create hundreds or thousands of local jobs, boosting...

The Best Has yet to Come for Women’s Pro Cycling

Raymond Kerckhoffs is the cycling report for the Dutch national newspaper, de Telegraaf, and has reported on the Tour de France for more than 30 years. He’s also the owner/founder of the cycling-related websites CyclingOpinions.com and MyCols.app, and he serves as the president of the AIJC (International Association of Cycling Journalists). A different version of this article appeared earlier on the Team Boels-Dolmans website. Women’s pro cycling is being transformed, as more and more fans discover the excitement of women’s bike racing. Some of the best athletes in the world are starting to get involved in the sport, and an exciting calendar of traditional races and new global events is starting to emerge. In turn, this attention is sparking more significant investment in women’s cycling, more media focus, and new opportunities for growth across all facets of the sport. Women’s cycling...