cycling4freaks.com

I'd like to pitch an idea that keeps popping into my head: sponsorship.

First off, I'd really like to avoid bringing even more money into the game, as that's not the point. I'd like to reward aggressive riding styles, when riders show up to speed, break away, etc. A bit like in real-world cycling.

Basic idea: there are many sponsors, each with different priorities. Some sponsors want as many race wins as possible, others primarily want wins in Category 4 races (or higher), and still others want very aggressive riding (i.e., joining the breakaway or setting the pace in the peloton). A combination of these three goals is also possible. This could certainly be developed further.

However, not every sponsor has the same level of commitment to the goal. A scale of 1-5 stars could be used: if the sponsor has 5 stars for "many race wins," then they're probably not satisfied with 3 wins a month, and the sponsorship fee would be lower. If you meet the target (for example, ten race wins), then you receive a substantial payment. However, if the sponsor only has two stars, three race wins might be enough to pay the full bonus, which, however, is not as high as the bonus for five stars.

The length of the sponsorship agreement varies. Some sponsors only want to sponsor for one season (i.e., one month), others for up to six months.

In return, the prize money for races is reduced, or alternatively, the base bonus is lowered. The goal is to make the races more attractive, for example, to avoid having races on flat terrain without an IS where no group finishes for ages.

I am totally against it. This would turn the game more and more into a business manager instead of a racing game. Don't like that at all.

In my opinion, this is the unique selling point of this game, at least for me. That it's all about racing and not this business stuff. make the game complex for racing (if any), but please not for management purposes.


...Edith says this sounds a bit harsh. So she points out the this lazy bastard who doesn't want to be involved in management stuff understands the idea, but is against it, egoistically.

No more opinions?

Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:54 am

The goal is to make the races more attractive, for example, to avoid having races on flat terrain without an IS where no group finishes for ages.

I agree with the goal (attractive races even on flat terrain) but I don't think Sponsoring makes it much more attractive.

Changes to gameplay would be needed, especially reducing the energy cost of attacking and riding in escape. This will take time.... But perhaps in the meantime we could have a combativity award/ red number for one day races? (Not only in stage races) Could be relatively easy to implement, too? @Alk

It could be via Voting or it could be based on Number of Attacks / km of Tempo, things like that. The problem with Voting is that not many teams actually vote, even in a tour. We need to make the Voting more attractive, too Perhaps when Voting, those stats could be shown and/or the Voting could be reduced to a pre-selection of 5 Riders to make it easier.

The Voting could also open 30km before the finish already, so that people can do it during the race instead of after the race.

Gipfelstuermer wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 22, 2026 11:38 am

Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:54 am

The goal is to make the races more attractive, for example, to avoid having races on flat terrain without an IS where no group finishes for ages.

I agree with the goal (attractive races even on flat terrain) but I don't think Sponsoring makes it much more attractive.

Changes to gameplay would be needed, especially reducing the energy cost of attacking and riding in escape. This will take time.... But perhaps in the meantime we could have a combativity award/ red number for one day races? (Not only in stage races) Could be relatively easy to implement, too? @Alk

It could be via Voting or it could be based on Number of Attacks / km of Tempo, things like that. The problem with Voting is that not many teams actually vote, even in a tour. We need to make the Voting more attractive, too Perhaps when Voting, those stats could be shown and/or the Voting could be reduced to a pre-selection of 5 Riders to make it easier.

The Voting could also open 30km before the finish already, so that people can do it during the race instead of after the race.

Automated evaluation and presenting 3 riders with stats to chose from would be really nice but maybe it doesn't solve the issue of managers not participating in voting. Maybe it would be nice to already being able to kind of vote or give credit to riders during the race, e.g. applauding (for good attacks / actions) and than that will be used for a final decision. I think during the race the willing for appreciating good action is a lot higher. And sometimes you just forget that you wanted to vote for a rider.

About the core idea of sponsoring: I am mostly with FL on this

flockmastoR wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 22, 2026 12:56 pm

Gipfelstuermer wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 22, 2026 11:38 am

Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:54 am

The goal is to make the races more attractive, for example, to avoid having races on flat terrain without an IS where no group finishes for ages.

I agree with the goal (attractive races even on flat terrain) but I don't think Sponsoring makes it much more attractive.

Changes to gameplay would be needed, especially reducing the energy cost of attacking and riding in escape. This will take time.... But perhaps in the meantime we could have a combativity award/ red number for one day races? (Not only in stage races) Could be relatively easy to implement, too? @Alk

It could be via Voting or it could be based on Number of Attacks / km of Tempo, things like that. The problem with Voting is that not many teams actually vote, even in a tour. We need to make the Voting more attractive, too Perhaps when Voting, those stats could be shown and/or the Voting could be reduced to a pre-selection of 5 Riders to make it easier.

The Voting could also open 30km before the finish already, so that people can do it during the race instead of after the race.

Automated evaluation and presenting 3 riders with stats to chose from would be really nice but maybe it doesn't solve the issue of managers not participating in voting. Maybe it would be nice to already being able to kind of vote or give credit to riders during the race, e.g. applauding (for good attacks / actions) and than that will be used for a final decision. I think during the race the willing for appreciating good action is a lot higher. And sometimes you just forget that you wanted to vote for a rider.

About the core idea of sponsoring: I am mostly with FL on this

For a start, wouldn't it be possible to get a screen after the race automatically (like with winner interviews) asking to vote for the most combative rider? Possibility to skip should stay of course, but that would make it harder to forget at least.