Today 11 WorldTour teams have announced that they have created the Velon group which aims at improving cycling and its business model. However, the creation has been met with mixed reactions.

The creation of the Velon Group which has been formed by 11 of the 18 WorldTour teams, has caused mixed reactions. In almost identical press releases, the team leaders of the 11 teams welcomed the initiative to promote cycling better, and also Giro d'Italia race director Mauro Vegni told Gazzetta dello Sport that they could "increase the value of cycling and improve the product." But there are also critical voices.

“The way people enjoy sport is changing; people want to see behind the scenes, go on the team bus of the best riders and see the racing from the bikes. Velon is starting with the objective to show cycling in a different way, offering what they have: the riders. They sit next to the AIGCP, which works on race calendars, rules and who has the right to set them.”

Europcar team manager Jean-René Bernaudeau about whose team like fellow French formations FDJ and Ag2r and Movistra, Astana and Katusha is not a Velon member, warned about the consequences for cycling.

“Quick, quick, technology has arrived in cycling and it's an exceptional asset!" Bernaudeau told L’Équipe. “But behind it there's always the idea to create a pro league like the NBA and I'm against that.”

The French sports newspaper also quoted another unnamed former team boss.

“Over the years, certain managers have tried to manage the economy of the sport but their attempts have always failed. Now we've got a new UCI president. Let's see how he reacts,” he said.