Tiesj Benoot warns cycling is losing its joy for young riders

“It is a trend in cycling that everything becomes very serious at a very young age,” Benoot explained on the Thomas Guenter Podcast, noting how early structure and expectation have become the norm. He pointed to the sport’s technological boom as a key driver, adding that with performance data, everything can be measured and known.

“You see talents quitting at 21 or 22 years old,” he said. “They started cycling as a hobby, but through all those small details, they lose the joy completely and get mental problems.”

Benoot (31), who will leave Team Visma | Lease a Bike after four years to join Decathlon CMA CGM, reflected on how different the path was when he turned professional in 2015. He recalled a slower and more organic progression, a time when riders could still balance ambition with everyday life. “It is a bit frightening to see how small the social circle is for young riders,” he said. “Parents sometimes try to realise their own dreams through their children.”

He also pointed to the influence of technology and social media. With every watt, weight and meal shared online, he fears that comparison has replaced curiosity. “Young riders can see everything a professional does, for example, photos of people weighing their food. And I do not think that is a good trend.”

His concerns echo those of teammate Tosh Van der Sande, who recently voiced a similar warning in Het Nieuwsblad. “Riders who follow these strict rules of modern cycling from a young age won’t have long careers, apart from a few exceptions,” Van der Sande said. “You could say that a career of about ten years is now average for professionals, and I’m quite sure that will only get shorter in the future.”

Benoot’s message comes at a time when cycling keeps getting more demanding. His point is simple: progress is good, but riders need to keep the joy that made them start in the first place.