Bytager the publication "Changing club or team: the right time and the right reasons"
As the 2025 season begins, the first results already give food for thought. Bryan Coquard surprised by winning in Australia under the colors of Cofidis, while Tom Pidcock and Marc Hirschi are discovering their new environment. The Briton joined Q36.5 Pro Cycling, while the Swiss chose TUDOR Pro Cycling Team. Two choices that reflect the recurring questions of riders, whether amateur or professional: When should you change teams? Why? And most importantly, who is right and who is wrong?
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team / Grok / DR
In the amateur world: between progression and pleasure
For an amateur cyclist, changing clubs is often a decision motivated by progress or the desire to rediscover pleasure. When a runner feels he istagIf his club no longer provides him with the means to progress or the atmosphere no longer meets his expectations, the question of leaving naturally arises.
The level of racing also plays an important role. Some clubs offer more opportunities depending on the categories, and an ambitious rider may seek better supervision, more competitions or a more structured environment. Conversely, others may want to join a more friendly structure after years of high level, to find a more relaxed approach to the sport.
And then there are the more personal reasons.. As Nico, who chose to change clubs this year, says: “ I wanted to run in the same club as my son. Bytag"Sharing this passion together, wearing the same colours, was something that was close to my heart." For him, the choice of club is no longer just a question of performance, but also of transmission and family pleasure.
Others, like Fred, are looking for a club that is more in line with their current lifestyle: " I spent years in very competitive structures, but today, I want a club on a human scale, where the atmosphere is more family-like and where the organization corresponds better to my daily life." His choice is above all dictated by the balance between passion and personal constraints.
Finally, race and calendar management is important. A club that does not offer enough suitable competitions or that specializes in a type of event that does not suit a runner can become a hindrance.
Among professionals: more complex issues
In professional cycling, changing teams is a much more consequential decision.The motivations are varied, but several elements systematically come up in the career choices of runners.
First, the financial aspect. A rider, even a talented one, only has a window of a few years to secure his future. A more advanced contracttagThey can be decisive, especially for those who are not natural leaders and who must secure their place within the pack.
Then, the role within the team. A rider can be a simple teammate in one organization and become a leader in another. This is often what motivates a change: the desire to have a chance, to race for oneself and no longer in the service of someone else. Tom Pidcock, by joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling, perhaps hopes to find more freedom than at INEOS Grenadiers, where he was surrounded by multiple leaders.
Equipment and supervision also play a key role. Not all bikes, training strategies or trainers are equal. A rider can leave to benefit from an environment more conducive to his progress. Marc Hirschi, after years with UAE Team Emirates, chose TUDOR Pro Cycling, a more modest Swiss team but which could offer him a more personalized framework and a more central place in his sporting project.
Finally, alignment with personal goals is essential. Some riders dream of winning the Tour de France, others want to shine in the classics or one-week races. If a team does not support these ambitions, the rider can look for a project more in line with his aspirations.
Who is right, who is wrong?
Changing teams is always a gambleSome people make the transition brilliantly and reach a new level, while others find themselves in an environment that doesn't suit them and struggle to get back to their best level.
This start to the 2025 season is a good illustration of this dynamic. Bryan Coquard, who has remained loyal to Cofidis, proves that it is sometimes good to bet on stability, by winning a great victory in Australia. On the other hand, Tom Pidcock and Marc Hirschi are still discovering their new team, and only time will tell if their choice was the right one.
Ultimately, whether you are an amateur or a professional, the most important thing is desire and ambition.. Staying in a club or team where you no longer feel at home is taking the risk of losing your motivation. And in cycling, as elsewhere, motivation often makes the difference between victory and oblivion.
