The debate about a possible entry fee for cycling races continues across borders, with many riders expressing their views: among them is Wout van Aert.

The Flemish rider, who won the last stage of the Tour de France, one of the most exciting stages of the Grande Boucle 2025, believes that cycling should learn economic management from other sports like the NBA. But not just from basketball, and Van Aert thinks that if people pay to watch cyclocross and no one finds it scandalous, then the same method could be applied to road cycling.

"I think the economic vulnerability linked to cycling would be much less significant if, in addition to sponsorship revenues, there were also revenues directly from the sport," Van Aert explained in an interview with De Tijd. "For example, I'm thinking about TV rights or other means that could bring funds, because if we look closely, it's the riders who make cycling but don't directly benefit from the earnings. I think cycling could learn a lot from the NBA model."

In recent days, there has been much discussion about cycling's economic model and the lack of money redistribution between major race organizers (ASO, RCS, Flanders Classics, etc.) on one side, and teams and riders on the other. Van Aert believes that the economic pie, regardless of its value, should be divided equitably: if increasing funds means increasing value, then a low-cost ticket, requested only for certain areas, wouldn't be such a negative thing.

"In cycling, we sometimes focus too much on popularity and appeal. Asking for a 5-euro participation fee doesn't mean making it less popular. Cyclocross also has a registration fee, and there's no more popular sport in our country."

The Flemish rider, who is very successful among fans, thinks that a small contribution could help improve certain aspects of the sport, also motivating the riders themselves more.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but an important race like the Tour of Flanders, or Roubaix or the Tour de France depends on us, on the riders and teams participating. Yet, our team doesn't even receive compensation sufficient to cover participation expenses, and this should be the bare minimum. The pie should be divided more fairly."