TCA publishes the full report for the 2023 Annual Rider Survey
For Immediate Release
The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) today published the full report from their unique annual survey of the women’s professional peloton. 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 disparities between riders in the World Tour and riders outside the World Tour continue to grow wider.
Key Findings
The Demographic
- The survey results represent the views of 140 female professional cyclists from 31 different countries.
Salaries
- 25% of riders surveyed receive no salary or income.
- Outside the Women’s World Tour, more than 70 % of riders earn less than €10,000 a year.
Contracts, Employment & Resources
- Nearly half of riders surveyed (47 %) have a contract which is only 1 year long
- 26 % of riders had to pay themselves for something that their team should pay for E.G. UCI blood tests
Work and Education Outside Cycling
- Only 46 % rely on cycling as their sole source of income
- 78 % of respondents outside of World Tour also work a second job alongside racing
- 98 % of riders surveyed have either completed or are enrolled in third-level education
Professional Support
- Riders seeking professional assistance when negotiating or signing a contract (41 %) has doubled since the 2022 survey
Life in a Team
- Less than 30 % of riders outside of the Women’s World Tour are receiving opportunities to develop within their teams
- A positive and safe team environment is a lot less common outside of the Women’s World Tour
Major Challenges for the Peloton
- The most common reason for leaving the sport early was financial reasons
- Riders in 2023 are more concerned about their safety at races – this was voted the second most important issue for the peloton, rising two places since 2022
TCA and the Peloton (membership)
- Riders continue to value TCA’s free legal advice as the most important service provided by TCA to members
Next Steps
TCA encourages all fans and stakeholders in women’s cycling to read and share the findings in this report. TCA believes the only way to create improvements in women’s cycling is to work together. TCA will be approaching stakeholders in the coming weeks to address the issues raised in this report.
Further Information
This is the only survey that is carried out annually for international professional women’s cycling, gathering direct quantitative and qualitative feedback from professional riders on the ‘status quo’ for riders across the globe.
You can read the full report in the pdf below.
Please contact info@cyclistsalliance.org for more information.
PRES-No.-10-2023_AnnualSurvey_V03