Sometimes, the truth hurts, especially when it comes from someone who lives and breathes the sport. José Azevedo, the seasoned sports director for the Efapel cycling team, didn’t hold back this week. He laid out a stark picture of cycling in the country, suggesting things are moving backward in the fight against doping. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans and anyone invested in the sport.
Azevedo had high praise for the previous leadership at the Portuguese Cycling Federation (FPC). He spoke of a successful path built by Delmino Pereira, the former president. That era saw a real push for clean sport, a commitment to ethics, fair play, and respect. It felt like cycling was on the right track.
For years, Azevedo has been a loud voice for sports integrity. He always pushed for the biological passport system, even when it caused trouble for his own team. He believes in honest competition above all else. He even faced difficult moments, like when former Efapel riders Rafael Silva and João Benta were suspended. They had issues with their biological passports. Azevedo held them in high regard as people but stood firm on team rules. He wonders if his team is the only one truly working this way.
Now, things have changed. Delmino Pereira reached his term limit and was replaced by Cândido Barbosa in November. Since then, Azevedo sees a clear step backward. He can’t explain why, but he feels the sport is losing ground. This regression makes him question if it’s even worth investing in national cycling anymore.
His team, Efapel, is reacting to this uncertainty. They plan to focus more on international races next season. Azevedo feels the national cycling scene isn’t reflecting their values anymore. He insists the rules must be enforced to bring back trust in the sport.
The problems don’t stop at doping control. Azevedo pointed out that youth development is also suffering. Support from the federation for young riders has been cut this year. This makes it tough for everyone, especially for teams trying to build future talent with smaller budgets.
Azevedo wishes everyone involved in cycling could come together and talk. He thinks it’s vital to have honest discussions. But he stresses that people need to leave their team loyalties at the door to make real progress.
Cycling is a big deal in the country. It’s probably the second most popular sport. Companies see it as a great way to advertise their brands. There’s no doubt about its potential. But Azevedo believes the sport needs a complete rethink. He’s even okay with the idea of it hitting rock bottom, if that’s what it takes to rebuild.
He used a striking image to describe the current state: “We keep pulling the blanket, but there’s always a bit left uncovered.” He feels like everyone is “almost deceiving each other.” If the sport needs to start from scratch, he says, then so be it.
He dreams of a solid sport in five or 10 years, one where people truly believe. A sport that attracts investment, offers fair salaries, and gives brands the media attention they want. Because right now, he sadly admits, that’s just not happening. The sport isn’t getting the media coverage it needs.