自行车很贵，但自行车运动很“穷”

Core Insights - The economic ecosystem of cycling sports faces structural dilemmas, including limited commercial development for teams, low prize money, and low income for non-star riders, creating a paradox of "top events coexisting with bottom-level livelihoods" [2][3]. Group 1: Event Structure and Revenue - The 2025 Tour de France will feature 22 professional teams, 176 top riders, over 21 race days, covering a total distance of 3,338.8 km with an elevation gain of 51,550 meters [2]. - Cycling events generally have lower revenue generation capabilities compared to mainstream sports like football and basketball, primarily due to fewer ticket sales and lower prize money compared to single events in tennis and golf [4]. - A.S.O. (Amaury Sports Organisation) operates major cycling events, including the Tour de France, and has been generating hundreds of millions of euros in revenue from the event since 1965 [5][6]. Group 2: Sponsorship and Broadcast Revenue - Sponsorship and broadcast rights are crucial revenue sources for cycling events, with the Tour de France having 61 partner brands and generating over 100 million euros in annual broadcast revenue [6][7]. - Cities hosting stages of the Tour de France pay significant fees to A.S.O., with Florence reportedly paying 3 million euros for the 2024 event [7]. Group 3: Team Financial Challenges - Despite the Tour de France's profitability, teams struggle financially, receiving less than 4% in broadcast revenue shares from A.S.O. and facing low prize money, with the total prize pool for the 2024 event being approximately 2.3 million euros [8]. - The Emirates Team, the top team in the 2024 Tour de France, earned around 800,000 euros, with 500,000 euros coming from the champion's prize [8]. Group 4: Rider Income Disparities - Top riders earn salaries in the millions, but many lower-tier riders earn salaries comparable to middle-class incomes in Europe, with the minimum salary for WorldTour riders set at 44,150 euros in 2025 [14][16]. - Prize money distribution is heavily skewed, with only the top finishers receiving significant amounts, while lower-ranked riders receive minimal compensation [17][19]. - The financial struggles of lower-tier teams and riders highlight the disparity in income within the sport, where many compete for meager earnings despite the high costs of participation [19].