“I Still Live With…” – 25-Year-Old French Cyclist on Announcing Retirement From Professional Sport

Pro cyclist Typhaine Laurance, aged 25, recently announced her retirement from cycling due to financial issues. She stated that she only earns €1,000 per month, which is significantly less than what athletes in other sports earn. Despite being a former junior national champion, Laurance has decided to retire early. It is worth noting that she still has a contract valid until 2024.

Typhaine was a member of the British Continental team, Lifeplus Wahoo, this year. Despite being a Frenchwoman, she represented the team in the UK. Typhaine holds a degree in communication and wishes to pursue a career in the cycling industry. As an athlete, she faced a challenging decision to retire at a young age.

Typhaine Laurance- A Talented Cyclist

Typhaine is a talented cyclist who has shown great potential in her career. She has already won the Junior National Championship and has even participated in the Tour De France race. However, she feels she cannot continue to compete due to the lack of proper financial support. As a professional cyclist, there are many expenses that need to be taken care of, most of which are covered by the athletes themselves. Cycling is a sport that requires a lot of investment, making it difficult for athletes like Typhaine to meet the expenses.

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Cyclingweekly shared some of their findings of Typhaine’s experience.

 The  Frenchwoman said: “I asked myself a lot of questions throughout the year and I realised the obvious: I can’t make a decent living from my sport, even if it’s my passion.

“With my English team Lifeplus Wahoo, I received around €1,000 a month. In the years before, with Arkéa, it was between €400 and €700. I still live with my parents and it’s impossible for me to get my own apartment. At 25 years old, you’ve got to start asking yourself questions, right?” 

Currently, there is no minimum wage for women’s UCI continental teams. According to a survey, more than 70% of riders earn less than €10,000 per year. Following in her footsteps, Laurance’s brother is also on the verge of becoming a professional cyclist. He is currently the U-23 road World Champion and is expected to have a successful career ahead.

End of a Promising Career

Typhaine’s decision to end her career at a young age has left many people surprised. However, it’s important to remember that she is still young and has the potential to make a comeback. All professional athletes should receive adequate compensation to continue their careers. Therefore, the French Cycling Association must investigate this matter. and come up with a solution. Lack of funds should not be a reason for athletes to retire prematurely.

There are some sports which provide a sufficient amount of money to the athletes. Sports like soccer, tennis, NFL take care of their players and provide them with sufficient money. Cycling should also make sure that the athletes are getting paid fairly. What do you feel about the retirement decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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