Dave Brailsford, manager of Team Ineos, said professional cycling teams should modernize and reform to end the sport's dependence on the Tour de France after the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The Tour de France was postponed two months from early July to early September in anticipation of the sport's biggest race. It is estimated that the Tour de France provides 70-80% of brand visibility for team sponsors, thanks to its worldwide television coverage.

Medical experts have questioned plans to host the Tour de France and other major races so soon after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting it would be wise to cancel this year's race. Last week, Brailsford warned that it would pull its riders from the Tour de France if it deemed it necessary, but it understands the importance of the Tour de France. Team Sky and Team Ineos have won seven of the last eight editions of the Tour de France.

"If one event were to happen this year, we would all choose it to be the Tour," Brailsford told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, later revealing to Sporza that Team Ineos is already planning the race and considering its team selection strategy. He revealed.

Team Ineos is part of the Veron business group, which is trying to regain influence and financial power from Tour de France organizer ASO and the sport's international governing body, the UCI.

Brailsford, given the expected impact of the COVID-19 craze on team sponsorships, suggested that pro cycling teams "could find a better model" by "diversifying a bit more and spreading out the big races on the calendar so that they are not so dependent on one race. He suggested that it might be possible to find.

"Everyone will see the advantage of having a more robust structure," he told BBC Radio 4.

"Instead of planning for the short term, they will be able to plan for the medium and long term. Modernizing the business model is sensible for everyone.

Many teams have confirmed that they are using government programs to pay salaries, while others are about to take significant pay cuts or have already laid off staff. team Ineos' financial security in the wake of COVID-19 from Sporza Brailsford declined to respond to a question about the impact of the loss of the 2020 season, but warned of the impact of the loss of the 2020 season.

Team Ineos' annual budget is estimated at over 40 million pounds, the highest in the sport.

"If racing resumes in the fall, that would be great. Some teams may suffer slightly more than others, depending on what business sector the main sponsor is in. But if the race doesn't resume until next year, then everyone will be under pressure," he admitted.

"If you are a sports team that is 100% sponsorship based, if you don't race for a very long time, you are going to feel the effects of that. It's a reality and we have to grow up and accept it."

He added, "We're not going to be able to do it all the time, but we've got to grow up and accept it.

Brailsford suggested that there is solidarity among the teams and throughout the sport as sponsors cut back on sponsorships to survive.

"We are fierce competitors on the road, but ultimately we need each other to play the sport.

"We can be great enemies, but in reality the health of the sport requires healthy teams, healthy sporting structures and racing structures. It is in the interest of all of us to support each other and do what is best for the sport, so we can build for the future."