Rising Disparity and Stinging Challenges Have Left a Quarter of Female Pro Cyclists Without Salaries

Amid the thrill and adrenaline of professional cycling, a stark reality was unveiled through an annual report. The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) published its yearly survey results on September 20, 2023, uploading the results on its website. The striking figures in the report have offered an unfortunate revelation of the financial hurdles for several female pro cyclists. With the numbers painting a vivid picture, it showcased an intricate list of disadvantages faced by the female cycling community. 

One of these bombshell disclosures narrated how a quarter of the female cyclists did not gain any salaried incomes from the profession. This year’s report was analyzed after interrogating 140 female professional cyclists across 31 countries. The annual TCA survey, which began its course in 2008, reported a harsh reality that hints at a thought-provoking scenario. But that is not all; the recent publication portrayed many other disparities against professional female riders. 

A shocking case of financial inequality in cycling 

While Women’s World Tour (WWT) riders benefit from minimum wage policies, the same cannot be said for their counterparts in Continental teams. The TCA report elaborated further on this alarming situation. It shared how over 70% of riders outside the WWT have an income of less than $10672.50 (€10,000) per year. Shockingly enough, such parameters leave these cyclists with earnings below the minimum wage level in most European countries.

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The study also displayed a significant rise in the number of unpaid female cycling professionals since 2022, which reflects a severely concerning trend. Another striking fact states that a mere 15% of non-WWT cyclists earn over $21345 (€20,000) a year. Highlighting the financial challenges these riders face, it claims that 47% of the professionals are granted only year-long agreements. 

Cyclists seeking support with genuine concerns

With only 46% of the group relying on cycling as their sole income source, a third of these riders are currently working second jobs alongside racing. Remarkably, 78% of the non-WWT riders belong to this unfortunate group. Such inadequate approaches have solidified the financial struggles of female cycling enthusiasts. However, the dissatisfaction of female riders extends beyond these expenses. 

In 2023, fewer cyclists reported being ‘very happy’ in their teams, in comparison to the 2022 dataset. With 26% of the riders paying for necessities like UCI medical tests and equipment, the community faces severe impacts on their career aspirations. While these challenges persist, the TCA survey also reflects a positive shift in women’s cycling. As their salaries are increasing, more riders are joining the WWT teams with better protections. 

Additionally, about 70% of the cyclists have expressed feeling their teams are run professionally, diminishing safety concerns. While one might assume that women’s professional cycling is advancing uniformly, the TCA survey has painted a different picture. Their analysis in 2023 depicts how making a full-time living from cycling still remains a distant dream for most female riders. In the end, though the journey is long, the path forward for female cyclists requires a ray of optimism and support. 

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