Wout van Aert took the second
Tour of Britain general classification victory of his career in 2023. As we now enter February 2024 however, the Belgian is among many riders still waiting for their prize money from the race.
Former race promoter, SweetSpot entered liquidation last month and according to Cycling Weekly, a total of €113,080 was supposed to be handed out during the race. “The CPA is well aware of the situation and has already started the process of going after the prize money funds," says president of the riders’ union Adam Hansen. “If there is not enough money left to pay after the liquidation process, it means that the national federation will have to bear the debts of the previous organisers under UCI regulations. So, one way or another, eventually, the riders will get their prize money if the race continues in 2024.”
The future of the race is still very much in doubt however. Whilst British Cycling have recently announced their intentions to resurrect both the Tour of Britain and the Women's Tour, the vast money troubles mean this will be no easy feat.
“We're aware of it,” British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton told Cycling Weekly regarding the issue with prize money. “We were recently made aware of it and it forms part of a number of legacy issues that we've inherited. We know that we've got a big job to do in terms of our own credibility and that will come from gaining momentum from whatever we say, backing that up with our actions, and forming those relationships.”
