The Cyclist Alliance, the trade association representing the interests of women cyclists, has found in its annual survey (open in new tab) that only 15% of women professional cyclists earn more than 20,000 euros outside the Women's World Tour (WWT), and almost half (46%) of the peloton has a second job and family support, as well as additional income from scholarships.

"Barely half of female professional peloton can count on cycling as their sole source of income," TCA wrote of the survey results.

At this year's Tour de France Femmes, there were even cyclists racing with WorldTour team riders who are not paid but receive six-figure salaries.

In contrast, 13% of WWT riders reported an annual income of more than €100,000, an 11% increase over last year, and another 24% reported between €60,000 and €100,000, a 17% increase.

The survey included 31 questions covering employment and income, team support and culture, work and education, professional support, team culture, and TCA membership.

124 female professional cyclists responded to the survey, with 121 competing on the road, 22 on the track, 13 in cyclocross, 8 in both mountain biking and e-sports, and 1 in BMX. In addition, 44% of the respondents were women's WorldTour team athletes.

The survey results indicate a widening wage gap between the Continental and World Tour levels in women's cycling.

In 2021, the UCI mandated that the minimum salary for WorldTour teams be increased from €15,000 in 2020 to €32,100 in 2023, but there is currently no equivalent for Continental teams.

In addition to examining riders' salaries, the survey also gathered information on contract lengths, revealing that the number of riders on one-year contracts is down 30% from the previous year, and that riders using agents to secure contracts is 24% of Continental riders compared to 81% of WWT riders, compared to 81% of Continental riders.

Despite these issues, 73% of riders surveyed were very satisfied or satisfied, a 30% increase from 2021. They attribute this rise to the increased professionalism of the teams through specialized training camps that include high-altitude training, media training, race analysis, and tactical skill development, and through rider-focused initiatives such as hiring specialized staff, including nutritionists and mental coaches The company states that this is due to the fact that the team's professionalism has increased.

Nevertheless, 11% of the riders surveyed said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their teams, citing poor management and being forced into uncomfortable situations as reasons.

The survey also revealed that when asked about the resources and services available as part of their contract, many riders were unsure of what the team would provide, with 12% saying they were not sure.

Furthermore, only 25% of those surveyed who are contracted with a team affiliated with a men's team have access to the same resources, less than half have access to only some resources, and 30% do not have access to the same resources.

"Many riders do not have adequate access to the support and resources they need to carry out their work as professional cyclists," TCA notes in its findings.

Another important finding is that some riders who are already below minimum wage are forced to reimburse their teams for expenses incurred on the job, with 28% obligated to reimburse team expenses that were necessary to do the job.

Outside of the team structure, the survey highlighted the need for more live television coverage of races. Fifty-six percent of all respondents said it was an important issue for officials to focus on, especially in light of the success of the Tour de France femme, which drew 20 million viewers in France alone.