25% of professional female cyclists are not being paid, while 70% are not 'paid enough' study reveals

This week, women’s cycling union The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) published the results of its annual survey into the experiences and working conditions of female cyclists, with this year’s report finding increased financial disparity in the women’s peloton, and the number of unpaid cyclists up from 2022.

The key findings revealed that 25% of riders currently receive no salary or income, 70% of non-WorldTour riders are paid less than €10,000 per year, and more than half the peloton still have to work or study alongside racing, suggesting that the recent attempts at furthering professionalisation are not very effectively trickling down to non-WorldTour teams.

"Despite some signs that women’s professional cycling is progressing, this survey also reveals that many women continue to face tough challenges in the pursuit of a professional cycling career," the report’s opening statement reads ahead of outlining the key findings.

"The disparities between riders in the WorldTour and riders outside the WorldTour continue to grow wider." Of the riders surveyed, 53% of respondents raced for a Continental team, and 41% for a WorldTour team.