The Sinking Team: A Cautionary Tale of Cycling’s Financial Perils

The collapse of Hess Cycling at the 2025 Tour of Britain Women was a stark reminder that success in professional cycling is not solely determined by talent or grit. Behind the scenes, financial woes can quietly sabotage even the most ambitious projects.

Former riders and team members are still reeling from the aftermath. Many have shared stories of being paid late or not at all, leaving them with significant out-of-pocket expenses. Suppliers, too, were owed substantial sums – over £50,000 in one case – as documented in internal communications seen by the BBC.

Hess Cycling’s failure is a symptom of deeper structural issues within cycling’s financial ecosystem. The sport’s governance and business models have long been criticized for prioritizing spectacle over sustainability. Unlike sports like football or Formula 1, which generate enormous revenue from broadcasting rights and sponsorships, professional cycling relies heavily on limited sponsorship deals.

Rolf Hess, co-owner of the Swiss-based team, had grand ambitions when he launched the project in 2023. He envisioned a British team competing at the highest level with a fresh approach to sponsorship and marketing that would amplify both riders’ individual brands and the team’s collective profile.

“We do it ourselves,” Hess boasted during an early interview, touting his team’s self-sufficiency. “We didn’t buy a team – we’re building one.” With the first instalment of €750,000 already pledged, the team aimed to have a budget five times that by 2025, when they would join the UCI Women’s World Tour.

However, behind the façade of entrepreneurial spirit and athlete-led innovation, financial reality set in. Riders recall being lucky to see half their expected salaries, while team camps and other expenses went unpaid.

This isn’t just a case of mismanagement or poor planning; it speaks to systemic issues within cycling’s governing bodies and its business practices. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has yet to address the elephant in the room: that professional cycling is fundamentally unsustainable as currently structured.

The Hess team’s downfall serves as a wake-up call for the sport’s stakeholders, from sponsors to riders, teams, and governing bodies alike. Can they create a more equitable financial model that prioritizes sustainability over short-term gains? Or will we continue to see teams rise and fall like fleeting stars in the cycling firmament?

The consequences of this financial instability are far-reaching. Not only do riders suffer financially, but team suppliers and staff members also bear the brunt of unpaid debts. The reputation of the sport itself is tarnished by the perception that teams operate on shaky financial ground.

As the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes approach the UK in 2026, it’s time for cycling’s leaders to confront these structural issues head-on. A radical rethink of how professional teams are funded, governed, and supported is needed. The stakes are high: if we don’t address this crisis, we risk losing talented riders, team suppliers, and even fans who feel disillusioned with the sport.

The Hess team may be gone, but its legacy serves as a stark reminder that in professional cycling, financial security is not just a luxury – it’s a necessity.