The 2026 men's WorldTour budgets have reached a staggering €663 million, with the median male rider salary touching €350,000. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, showcasing the escalating costs and salaries in the highest level of professional cycling. The average men's WorldTour budget for the 2026 season has risen to €33 million, a 4.5% increase from 2025. This surge in spending is further emphasized by the median salary for self-employed riders, which has climbed 5.6% to €350,000. The report by La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights the growing disparity between employed and self-employed riders, with the latter earning a median salary of €654,000 annually, compared to €216,000 for employed riders, a 46% difference. This contrast is largely attributed to employment laws in France and Belgium, where employed riders are more prevalent. The report also reveals that the total budget for the Women's WorldTour has risen to €80 million for 14 teams, a substantial increase from €42 million in 2023. The article further underscores the influence of super teams, such as UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Visma-Lease a Bike, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, whose budgets exceed €50 million, while smaller teams like Lotto-Intermarché operate on a fraction of that amount. The media value of professional cycling is substantial, with EF Education-EasyPost generating €98 million in 2025 after a rider's success at the Tour de France. The report invites readers to explore the intricate spending patterns of cycling's super teams, offering a comprehensive understanding of the sport's financial landscape.
