Ned Boulting voices concern over cycling's future as Tour de France moves to paywall in UK

Ned Boulting, a long-time commentator for ITV, expressed concern over the future of cycling after ITV lost the rights to broadcast the Tour de France starting in 2026. The race will now be shown exclusively on Eurosport and Discovery+ in the UK. Boulting noted that the shift reflects a broader trend of cycling being less popular in the UK compared to other sports. He highlighted that despite increased interest in cycling since 2012, many casual fans do not follow the sport closely. He fears this change could limit future viewership and participation in cycling. Boulting emphasized the importance of ITV's coverage in nurturing a new generation of fans, which may now be at risk.