Dozens of riders left stranded as National Cycling League announces 2024 season hiatus citing 'current economic challenges in domestic and global cycling industry'
Effective immediately, the NCL paused all its operations in order to focus on restructuring and rebuilding for the 2025 season.
There will not be a 2024 season of the National Cycling League after all. Organizers today announced a “pause” on the 2024 season in order to focus on restructuring and rebuilding for the 2025 season.
Debuted in April 2023, the National Cycling League is the latest cycling series aiming to reignite American cycling fandom and reinvent cycling altogether with its unique —and admittedly entertaining— spectator-friendly format, a cohort of all-star investors and city-specific teams. The 2023 season consisted of a mere three races but came with much fanfare. Upon its conclusion in August, the organization hailed its debut as a “tremendous success,” which left them “excited about the future of the league.”
Yet, the debut year had been a rocky one. The series dropped one of its initial four races, changed race venues and dates, shuffled most of its C-suite and parted ways with its race management company. At the end of the calendar year, dozens of riders from the National Cycling League’s franchise teams —Denver Disruptors and Miami Nights— found themselves without contracts for 2024.
Yet the start of the 2024 calendar year brought optimistic announcements of series expansions, including the founding of a new franchise team out of Atlanta, Georgia.
Today, however, organizers announced a pause, effective immediately, including rider contracts and salaries.
“While NCL will not field events or teams in 2024, the executive team and board of directors will focus on coming back stronger in 2025 by restructuring its business model within the current economic challenges facing the domestic and global cycling industry,” the announcement reads.
The organizers acknowledge that this break impacts the financial and athletic prospects of the staff and riders of its three franchise teams, as well as the racing schedules of the seven additional teams intending to participate in the 2024 NCL Cup. Organizers promise to assist its staff and riders through their transitions but didn’t elaborate on the matter.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement, staff and riders cannot speak openly to the press, but Cycling Weekly was informed that teams and riders were made aware of the abrupt change during a brief, four-minute zoom call. During this call, contracted riders were informed that no salaries will be paid after the month of April concludes. Additionally, as of today, no plan or framework has been laid out to aid riders in transitioning to other team.
This is a developing story. We will make updated as more information becomes available
More about the NCL:
- Are 'fan first' spectator friendly crits the future for bike racing?
- Miami Nights take the win at a thrilling Denver NCL Cup.
- After a 4-month wait, the NCL continues in Denver this weekend - here's what to expect
- Is the National Cycling League in trouble already?
- A cancelled race and new CEO - big changes at the National Cycling League after just one race
- The National Cycling League made its anticipated debut over the weekend, but were we entertained?
- Denver Disruptors dominate National Cycling League debut race
- Fan-first, gamified bike racing: the NCL readies for its debut as domestic teams get on board
- L39ION of LA and The Miami Blazers have no intention to partake in the National Cycling League
- The newly formed National Cycling League: a gimmick or the future of American bike racing?
- The National Cycling League announces its first teams, stacked with internationally known talent
- NBA All-Star Bradley Beal and NFL pros pump $7.5m into the new US cycling league
- The National Cycling League announces a $1 Million dollar prize purse
- Inaugural US National Cycling League could see fans virtually racing the pros in 2023
- Why American cycling needs a new Greg Lemond or - whisper it - Lance Armstrong
- Valentina Scandolara suspended and fined for unsportsmanlike behavior
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. She holds a degree in journalism and started out as a newspaper reporter — in print! She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference.
Originally from The Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon she became a full-time cycling journalist. She's now been a cycling journalist for 11 years.
-
VanMoof e-bikes back on sale in UK with promise of 'more reliable' models
The Dutch brand went bust last summer, but is now back with improved S5 and A5 and a new repair system
By Adam Becket Published
-
Amateur cyclist breaks Strava KOMs on Mortirolo and Stelvio, makes plea for pro contract
'Let's hope some kind of opportunity comes from this,' said Canadian Jack Burke, after taking the Mortirolo crown
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was part of the dark era of cycling. I think the sport is in such a better place now' - George Hincapie on the future of road racing in America
Between Americans finding overseas success, helping his son Enzo follow in his footsteps and organising gran fondos, Hincapie believes US road racing will remerge
By Caroline Dezendorf Published
-
US Pro Nationals: EF Pro Cycling dominates the races, netting 3 titles and 6 medals
Charleston, the new host, offered up one of the toughest courses in recent history. Read how the racing unfolded
By Henry Lord Published
-
US Pro Nationals: your guide to livestreams, who to watch and what to know about the all-new race courses
For the first time in six years, the U.S. National Road Race Championships has moved to a new host, Charleston, West Virginia. The change brings fresh courses ready to crown new national champions.
By Henry Lord Published
-
Joe Martin Stage Race, the longest-held stage race in America, postponed until 2025 due to rising costs
A big loss for domestic elites and amateurs alike, the Joe Martin Stage Race was one of just four UCI races remaining on US soil.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
National Cycling League returns in 2024 with 10 teams contesting the Cup
Ten co-ed teams from across the U.S. will again compete in the dynamic National Cycling League criterium races in 2024 for their chance at a piece of the NCL's substantial prize purse.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
The 'Met Gala of US Track Cycling' draws stars and dignitaries in support of the sport's youth
Star Track is an intersection of cycling legends, luminaries and policymakers from all corners of the cycling world, united in a singular focus of a successful tomorrow
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
New trans athlete policy 'sets a dangerous precedent': Washington racer seeks state action against USA Cycling
When USA Cycling introduced its revised Transgender Athlete Participation Policy earlier this month, the new two-tiered system didn’t sit well with all racers.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Thousands of Sepp Kuss fans come out to welcome home their Vuelta hero
Today, it was America's turn to celebrate Sepp Kuss, the first American in a decade to win a Grand Tour, as Durango welcomed home their hero in style.
By Henry Lord Published