In this episode, Christophe Mallet and Dave McKenzie take a deep look at the state of cycling in Australia after the announcement that the Sun Tour will not return in 2026. They reflect on the race’s history and importance while pointing to the growing struggle to secure sponsorships. Despite long-standing backing from Visit Victoria and Jayco, they note that attracting new partners has become increasingly difficult, with McKenzie suggesting the creation of a new event, such as an under-23 race, to bring fresh energy to the sport.
The discussion then turns to the recent collapse of Arkéa B&B Hotels, which left more than 150 riders and staff without a team. The hosts see this as a sign of the broader financial challenges facing professional cycling and the need to build more stable funding models. They underline how fragile the ecosystem remains, from local events to elite teams, and call for renewed thinking about how the sport is structured.
Ending on a hopeful note, the episode highlights the rise of African cycling through an message from Jeremy Ford from Team Africa Rising. They discuss new training hubs aimed at developing young talent and expanding access to resources. McKenzie and Mallet express optimism about the sport’s global future, celebrating recent successes like the Gran Fondo World Championships with our very own Australian World Champion.
