Pro Cycling Manager 2019, developed by Cyanide Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive, is a deep and intricate sports management simulator that caters specifically to fans of professional cycling. As with previous entries in the long-running series, this edition tasks players with taking control of a professional cycling team, overseeing everything from race strategy and training schedules to contract negotiations and scouting. While this formula remains largely unchanged from past years, PCM 2019 refines some of the series’ core mechanics and presents a compelling, if still occasionally flawed, representation of the managerial side of cycling.
At its heart, Pro Cycling Manager 2019 is a numbers-driven game, and it's one that rewards patience and meticulous attention to detail. Players step into the role of team manager, responsible for balancing finances, negotiating sponsorship deals, hiring and developing riders, and devising season-long race strategies. It’s not just about picking the right cyclists for the Tour de France or winning the classics; it’s about managing rider fatigue, planning altitude training camps, dealing with injuries, and adapting your strategy based on fluctuating rider form. There’s a distinct satisfaction in seeing a long-term development plan come together — taking a young rider from obscurity and turning them into a Grand Tour contender over several seasons is deeply rewarding.
The career mode remains the most robust offering, allowing you to take control of any real-world team (licensed or not, depending on your preferences and mods), and guide them through multiple seasons. The depth of simulation here is impressive. Riders have attributes that evolve based on training, race experience, and age. Sponsors have expectations that must be met — a French team might demand success in French races, while a smaller team may prioritize getting riders into breakaways. Morale plays a role, as does team chemistry. On top of that, scouting regions around the world for young talent becomes an essential part of staying competitive. If you’re a fan of Football Manager, this game scratches a similar itch, though it’s more niche and focused on a specific sport ecosystem.
Where Pro Cycling Manager 2019 begins to falter is in its presentation and user interface. The menus are dense and not particularly intuitive for newcomers. Despite years of iteration, the game still lacks a proper tutorial for many of its advanced features. While veteran players will find their way with ease, newer players may be overwhelmed by the number of options and the lack of clear explanations. Even simple actions like setting up a rider’s training schedule or reviewing season goals require navigating through layers of menus and submenus. This complexity isn't necessarily a flaw in terms of depth, but the learning curve can be steep and unforgiving, which may alienate more casual cycling fans.
The in-race 3D engine, which lets players take direct control of their team during stages, remains a highlight. Watching races unfold in real-time while issuing tactical commands to your riders adds an immersive layer to the management gameplay. Players can decide when to launch attacks, when to draft, when to protect a leader, and when to drop back. Weather effects, terrain, and rider energy levels all influence the race dynamics. AI improvements in 2019 brought slightly more believable behavior, with rival teams showing a better understanding of race context. That said, the engine still shows its age visually, with stiff animations and repetitive crowd assets. While it won’t wow anyone from a graphical standpoint, the engine does what it needs to do functionally.
One of the more underappreciated aspects of PCM 2019 is the Pro Cyclist mode, where you control the career of a single rider rather than managing an entire team. This offers a more personalized experience and provides a refreshing change of pace. You start as a young neo-pro and work your way up the ranks, choosing which stats to improve, managing relationships with teammates and sponsors, and carving out a specialty — be it as a climber, sprinter, or time trialist. It’s a more RPG-like experience, and while not as fleshed out as full-blown career mode, it’s a great alternative for players who prefer a more intimate and less management-heavy cycling journey.
Modding support continues to be one of the strongest pillars of the series. The community around Pro Cycling Manager is dedicated and active, with modders regularly releasing up-to-date databases, real team kits, more accurate rider stats, and even new races. Cyanide Studio has long leaned on this community to supplement the game’s official content, and PCM 2019 is no exception. The tools for customization are extensive, allowing players to tailor the game to their liking — whether that means importing real-world race calendars, correcting sponsor data, or expanding rider lists to include continental and amateur-level competitors.
However, the game isn’t without its persistent flaws. Bugs and technical glitches occasionally mar the experience — crashes during races, AI oddities, and UI freezes have been known issues. Patches over time resolved some of these, but the lack of polish in some areas can be frustrating, especially for a series that has had many years to refine its core systems. The commentary and sound design remain serviceable but forgettable, with repetitive audio cues and an overall lack of atmosphere during races. These elements contribute to a sense that PCM 2019, like its predecessors, continues to struggle with elevating the presentation to match the depth of its mechanics.
In conclusion, Pro Cycling Manager 2019 is a game built for a specific audience — one that appreciates the strategic depth, micromanagement, and realism of professional cycling. It delivers a rich and rewarding simulation experience for those willing to invest the time to understand its systems. While its UI, visuals, and lack of polish might deter more casual players, cycling enthusiasts will find a lot to love. Whether you're planning team tactics for a brutal mountain stage or nurturing the next cycling superstar, PCM 2019 remains a uniquely satisfying title within the sports management genre, even if it still rides with a few wobbles along the way.
Rating: 8/10
