ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the peculiar context of road cycling, introduces the current institutional setting and takes a closer look at economics and finances of sport. Consequently, professional road cycling is neither a typical individual sport, like golf or tennis, nor a pure team sport, like football or basketball. Race organizers have a prominent role in road cycling because of their ability to control access to their events unregulated by ex-ante defined rules. The basic organizational unit of professional road cycling is the cycling team. These teams are supported by one or two principal commercial sponsors and are referred to by these sponsor names. Athletes also face a high number of competition days, unlike what is the case in other endurance sports such as a triathlon or marathon running. During an average year, professional cyclist covers distance of up to 40,000 kilometers in training and competition. The chapter concludes with an overview of professional road cycling’s main challenges for the future.
