What is emerging today in women’s cycling should not be seen as an issue limited to one sector, but as a signal that concerns the entire sport. The extraordinary growth in visibility, professionalism, and technical quality is evident to everyone, yet behind this expansion there is an economic and structural fragility that risks undermining the foundations of the system. The words of Elisa Longo Borghini and the struggles faced by several teams clearly describe the current dynamic: the top of the pyramid is growing rapidly, while the grassroots level is increasingly struggling to sustain the weight of this evolution.
Thinking that this situation affects only women’s cycling would be a mistake. On the contrary, it should be considered a concrete warning for the future of men’s cycling, where similar dynamics are already emerging, especially in youth categories and development levels. Data from the Italian Cycling Federation highlight a trend that deserves attention: in 2010 total members were around 109,000, while in 2025 they have dropped to just under 99,000, representing a decrease of nearly 10%. Even more significant are the numbers in entry-level categories, where the future of cycling is built: Giovanissimi riders declined from over 19,000 in 2021 to about 15,800 in 2025, Esordienti dropped from around 3,450 to fewer than 2,900, and Allievi decreased from roughly 2,800 to just above 2,500. These figures do not describe a sudden collapse, but they clearly signal a gradual erosion of the grassroots base.
Today, the spectacle at the top of the pyramid is rightly celebrated, with star riders attracting media attention and investment, but what is happening in women’s cycling reminds us how fragile a system can be when it grows without strengthening its foundations. If this warning is ignored, the risk is that in a few years we may find ourselves admiring an increasingly spectacular elite supported by an increasingly fragile structure. Protecting youth development, smaller teams, and access to the sport is not only a social or educational matter, but a strategic choice to ensure a solid and sustainable future for cycling as a whole.
