Alex Carera is the director of the agency (alongside his brother Johnny) A&J All Sports and is recognized as the most influential agent in the cycling world. Under his leadership, the agency has represented some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tadej Pogacar, Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Pello Bilbao.
However, he manages the career of a single French cyclist, Léo Bisiaux. Carera has played a crucial role in the rise of these talented cyclists, solidifying his position as a central figure in the international cycling scene.
In an interview with the French website cyclismeactu, the 48-year-old Italian revealed some details about the profession and explained why Léo Bisiaux is the great promise of French cycling.
Comparison with football
Carera was questioned about the inevitable comparison with football and stated, “It’s the same as in football. I am the person who works with cyclists to try to find the best contracts, to try to solve their problems.”
“It’s easy to say that our job is just to look for the maximum money possible, it’s not everything. It’s not true.”
Ten agents are part of Alex Carera’s team
“I am the boss, but I have people working in France, others for Northern Europe, or for Spain… I have ten agents working for me, plus secretaries, assistants… who are in our offices in Switzerland.”
Hope for French cycling
When asked about his limited presence in French cycling, the Italian reveals a name: “We only have one cyclist, but he is the future of French cycling, it’s Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale). He is a cyclist with great talent and has a lot of room to improve. I love his mentality and that of his parents.”
“When he signed with us, we had a meeting at his home in central France, and I was sure he would have a very bright future. He has to maintain the same mentality, and I am very optimistic,” adds the executive.
One of the latest big news in the cycling world is that Tadej Pogacar will attempt the Giro/Tour de France double in 2024. Do you believe he can achieve it?
“It won’t be easy, but if there’s a cyclist in the peloton who can accomplish this feat, it’s Tadej Pogacar. I don’t handle the sports program; it’s UAE Team Emirates that does it, very well. I talk to Tadej every day because I am the agent who has direct contact with him, and that’s a big goal.”
Is it possible that Tadej Pogacar will leave UAE Team Emirates before the end of his contract, which runs until the end of 2027?
“Tadej is very happy with his team. I know that in 2028, there will be the Road World Championships in Abu Dhabi, and his contract ends a year before.”
“I don’t know if he will renew the contract, but I can’t imagine UAE Team Emirates, which is one of the richest teams in the world, letting the most important cyclist in the team’s history leave. At the moment, I find it hard to imagine him on another team, but life is like that, anything can happen,” concludes the Italian.
Watch the full interview: