Cycling in Portugal is growing in popularity. With leading figures like Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), which shines on the Grand Tours, and historic Olympic successes, the sport is generating unprecedented enthusiasm. However, behind the scenes, Portuguese professional cycling is marred by worrying revelations about mismanagement, financial abuse, precarious working conditions and doping scandals. In a recently published survey, our colleagues at CyclingUpToDate took stock of the situation.
Video – Joao Almeida, Portuguese cycling star
Unacceptable working conditions
Numerous testimonies from former employees reveal alarming working conditions. Some describe 12-hour days, including weekends, with no compensation for overtime. Psychological pressure and verbal abuse are common, with nightly calls to check their availability.
Employees also had to pay mission-related costs out of their own pocket, with teams often refusing to reimburse them. Poor organization seems omnipresent: tasks are poorly distributed and the necessary resources are often lacking, plunging employees into constant frustration.
Poor financial management
Financial problems are recurrent in Portuguese cycling. Some managers are accused of using team funds for personal purposes, while late payments to suppliers and athletes are common. In addition, sponsorship contracts are not respected, causing companies to distrust the sport. This situation harms the credibility of cycling in Portugal and complicates the search for new financial partners. Transparency remains a major issue for the growth of the sector.
Persistent doping scandals
Doping continues to tarnish the image of Portuguese cycling. While cases are decreasing internationally, Portugal is struggling to overcome this problem. Several winners of the Return to Portugal lost their titles due to violations, leading to a loss of trust among fans and partners. Four of the last 16 editions of the race have not had an official winner.
A sport in crisis
Today, Portuguese cycling is at a crossroads. On the one hand, passion for the sport continues to grow, fueled by young talent and recent victories. On the other hand, scandals and mismanagement threaten to destroy these efforts. Without deep and professional reform, cycling risks losing the trust of its fans and sponsors, compromising its future. It is essential that governing bodies establish a more transparent and ethical system. The passion for cycling is very present in Portugal, but it must rely on a solid structure to become a benchmark sport on the international scene.
