Gear & Grit Daily: December 05, 2025
Today's cycling news: The Frantic Push to Find the Next Pogačar Is Harming Cycling’s Up and Coming Stars, MTB World Cup promoter and WorldTour broadcaster WB...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit. Today we're tracking seismic shifts in cycling's business landscape—and they're all connected. Warner Bros Discovery, the company behind your MTB World Cup and WorldTour coverage, might be heading to Netflix's shopping cart, while Premier Tech is making power moves into WorldTour sponsorship with Alpecin.
But the biggest story? The relentless hunt for the "next Pogačar" is crushing young talent before they even get started. We're diving into how cycling's obsession with prodigies is backfiring, plus a crucial look at REDs—the career-ending condition more riders face than you'd think.
⚡ Quick Hits
- Do we still need bike trade shows?: Eurobike and bike trade shows face relevance questions as brands reconsider attendance costs.
- Nienke Vinke, best young rider at the Tour de France Femmes, is leaving Picnic for SD Worx: Young Tour de France Femmes best rider Nienke Vinke transfers from Picnic to SD Worx.
- Deceuninck is officially out as the hunt for financial backing continues: Deceuninck exits as title sponsor; van der Poel's team seeks new financial backing.
- “What did we have to do with it? We were a cycling team”: Israel-Premier Tech “lost out for political reasons”, claims sports director, after Palestine protests which painted riders and staff as “indecent”: Israel-Premier Tech sports director addresses political controversy affecting team operations and cycling focus.
- [UPDATE] Giant completes worker-fee refunds in efforts to revoke import block: Giant completes worker fee refunds and pursues corrective actions to lift US import block.
- “Who are you punishing? An 11-year-old out with his mum?” Cyclists say “anti-bike rhetoric” behind sabotage on popular New Zealand trails, putting hundreds of children at risk – but residents claim riders are “causing others harm”: Trail sabotage in New Zealand sparks debate over anti-bike rhetoric and shared-use trail safety.
- E-Bike Injuries Are Up 1,800%, But It’s Not Actually E-Bikes: It’s Electric Motorcycles: Study clarifies e-bike injury spike is misattributed; actual culprit is unregulated electric motorcycles.
- Every WorldTour and ProTour Bike Sponsorship Change We Know About So Far: WorldTour and ProTour bike sponsorship changes for 2026 season tracked.
📊 By The Numbers
- 1,800%: Increase in e-bike injuries, actually caused by electric motorcycles
- 1 million miles: Service miles clocked by Tern cargo eBikes in NYC
- 3 years: Premier Tech sponsorship deal with Alpecin cycling team
📰 Today's Big Stories
The Frantic Push to Find the Next Pogačar Is Harming Cycling’s Up and Coming Stars
The Talent Arms Race Hurting Young Riders
WorldTour teams are scrambling to sign the next Tadej Pogačar, scouting and contracting riders at increasingly younger ages. This frantic talent grab is ramping up pressure on cycling's prospects, forcing them into the professional spotlight before they're physically or mentally ready. The "find 'em young, sign 'em young" mentality is creating unrealistic expectations and potentially burning out future stars.
Why it matters: This trend threatens the long-term health of professional cycling. Rushed development can lead to premature career endings, mental health struggles, and riders who never reach their true potential. The sport risks sacrificing sustainable talent pipelines for short-term gains. For aspiring pros and fans invested in cycling's future, this approach could mean fewer champions and more cautionary tales of what might have been.
MTB World Cup promoter and WorldTour broadcaster WBD may be sold to Netflix
Netflix Eyes Warner Bros Discovery in Media Mega-Deal
Streaming giant Netflix has reportedly won the bidding war to acquire Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), the media conglomerate behind the Mountain Bike World Cup promotion and WorldTour race broadcasting across Europe. The deal would mark a massive consolidation in sports media.
Why cyclists should care: This could reshape how you watch pro cycling. WBD currently holds broadcast rights to major WorldTour races throughout Europe and runs the MTB World Cup series. A Netflix takeover might mean easier streaming access to races—or it could mean everything disappears behind yet another paywall. The deal's impact on WBD's cycling commitments, including its promotional role in mountain biking's premier series, remains unclear. Expect potential changes to where and how you'll catch the sport's biggest events.
Understanding REDs: The Condition That Could End a Cyclist’s Career
REDs: The Silent Career Killer
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) occurs when cyclists don't consume enough calories to support their training load, creating an energy deficit that wreaks havoc on the body. The condition goes far beyond simple underfueling—it can disrupt hormones, weaken bones, compromise immune function, and tank performance. Left unchecked, REDs can end careers.
This matters because REDs is alarmingly common in cycling, where the sport's culture often glorifies leanness and high training volumes. Many riders unknowingly slide into energy deficiency while chasing watts or weight loss. The warning signs include persistent fatigue, recurring injuries, missed periods (for women), and declining performance despite hard training. Recognition and proper fueling are critical—this isn't about eating more junk, but strategically matching caloric intake to training demands. Early intervention can reverse the damage; ignoring it can cause lasting harm.
Premier Tech replaces Deceuninck as Alpecin co-sponsor for at least three years
## Alpecin Gets New Co-Sponsor in Premier Tech
Alpecin-Fenix is getting a rebrand. Canadian company Premier Tech replaces Deceuninck as co-sponsor in a three-year deal, with the men's team becoming Alpecin-Premier Tech and the women's squad racing as Fenix-Premier Tech. Canadian rider Hugo Houle joins the roster to complete the lineup.
Why it matters: This partnership signals growing North American investment in European cycling, potentially opening doors for more Canadian and American riders in WorldTour racing. For fans, it means stability for one of cycling's most aggressive teams—the squad that's given us Mathieu van der Poel's spectacular attacks and consistent Classics performances. The multi-year commitment also suggests Premier Tech is in it for the long haul, not just a quick marketing splash.
[UPDATE] Cyclists told to "stick to cycle lanes" filled with parked cars; Premier Tech joins Alpecin as new co-title sponsor; Cycling coverage won’t change as Netflix set to take over Warner Bros Discovery + more on the live blog
## Cyclists Face Parking Paradox as Infrastructure Debate Heats Up
Cyclists are being told to use cycle lanes—except those lanes are blocked with parked cars, highlighting the ongoing infrastructure gap between policy and reality. Meanwhile, the pro cycling world sees a major shake-up as Premier Tech joins Alpecin as co-title sponsor, while Netflix's takeover of Warner Bros Discovery's cycling assets promises to maintain current coverage levels.
Why it matters: The parking enforcement issue underscores a critical problem: building cycle lanes means nothing if they're not protected or enforced. For everyday cyclists, it's the difference between safe infrastructure and painted theater. On the pro side, Premier Tech's sponsorship signals continued corporate investment in cycling, while Netflix's broadcasting commitment ensures fans won't lose access to races during the streaming transition—crucial for the sport's visibility and growth.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- When will Manon enter an Ironman, Wales' finest mountain & Emma's taco hack | Watts Occurring Femmes: Podcast Q&A covering training on menstrual cycle, dating fellow riders, and cycling advice.
