‘Knives against our throats’ – French WorldTour teams warn of talent drain amidst endemic economic difficulties

The expression cyclisme à deux vitesses – “two-speed cycling” – was used by some French teams as shorthand to allege a tolerance for doping in other nations or teams. The same phrase could well be employed now to highlight the differences between France’s stringent fiscal and employment legislation that concerns teams and their international rivals.

French employment law requires that athletes and staff are registered as company employees and this reportedly cost around 40% more than riders for other teams who work under contractor status.