Racing frequency increases in 2026 cycling season

The 2026 cycling season has seen an increasing number of races, with teams adopting varied strategies to secure points and maintain their positions in the UCI's promotion and relegation system. While top teams carefully choose their participations, others are racing extensively to accumulate points necessary for retaining their elite status.

Top teams dominate race participation

The top 10 most active teams of the season include the French team TotalEnergies, which leads with 116 races contested, closely followed by Lotto Intermarché with 115 starts. Two other second-division teams, Cofidis with 111 races and Unibet Rose Rockets with 110 races, occupy the top of the rankings.

Strategies for earning points

To accumulate points, second-division teams often participate in smaller races where finishing in the top positions can yield more points than lower finishes in major races. This approach allows them to collect necessary points without facing the intense competition of top-tier events.

Riders face long and demanding schedules

This hectic schedule places significant demands on riders, with some spending over 80 days on the road per season. For example, Baptiste Veistroffer and Liam Slock from Lotto Intermarché have participated in 85 and 83 days of racing, respectively. Other notable riders include Guillaume Martin and Rémy Rochas from Groupama - FDJ United, and Mathis Le Berre from TotalEnergies.