Why We Exist

At The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), we believe women’s professional cycling deserves more. It deserves fairness, safety, and opportunities. We exist so that every female rider can ride with more confidence and support, and with the chance to build a sustainable career.

Our Mission & Core Beliefs

Empowering Riders, Advancing Equality, Securing Futures. That is TCA’s guiding motto

We believe every rider deserves fair working conditions, regardless of team level or nationality

We believe cycling should support holistic well-being: physical health, mental health, career sustainability, and personal growth alongside performance

We believe visibility, voice, and representation matter. Women’s cycling needs an independent union to ensure every rider is seen, heard, and protected.

The Reality We See: Challenges in Women’s Professional Cycling

Every year, we survey riders to ensure their collective voice drives our work. What riders (as well as the Rider Council) share with us becomes the foundation for our advocacy, our campaigns, and the changes we work to achieve.

Despite some progress in recent years, many structural inequalities and challenges still affect women’s cycling at all levels:

Insights from our 2025 rider survey including 202 riders from 43 teams, across seven disciplines

While top-tier riders often enjoy better contracts, a large share of riders at Continental or lower-tier levels remain underpaid: 84% of Continental-level riders reportedly earn under €20,000 annually

Many riders outside the top tiers still face financial instability, forcing them to work second jobs or even consider leaving the sport altogether
- 42% of Continental riders have a second job while also trying to race competitively full time
- Over half of newer professionals (1-2 years professional experience) consider quitting due to financial concerns

Safety, ethical standards, and riders’ well-being remain pressing concerns. Some riders report unsafe race conditions, pressure to race while injured or unwell, unfair selection practices, neglect of athlete well-being. These all are problems that can shorten careers and harm health
- Better race safety is one of the top 3 main advocacy priorities for riders in 2025
- 14% of surveyed riders report neglected athlete well-being

Lack of visibility, media coverage, and commercial investment, especially at lower tiers, limits not just riders’ earning potential, but also fan engagement, sponsorship, and long-term growth of the sport

As a union, we believe no rider should have to sacrifice their health, security, or future simply to stay in the sport they love.

The full report of the 2025 survey can be found here

Get Involved

Here’s how you can join us. If you are a …

Rider: join TCA as a rider, encourage your team, teammates and friends to join as well

Individuals, clubs, businesses: join TCA as a supporter. Your backing helps us continue our mission. Every donation, partnership, or show of support matters

You can also help us by

Spreading the word: Share our reports, stories, and campaigns to raise awareness about the inequalities and the change we are working for

Advocating for change: Whether you’re a fan, sponsor, team manager, or organizer, push for fair treatment, safety, visibility, and respect for female riders

Become a Supporter

For any individuals, groups, and businesses eager to join us in championing change and fairness for female cyclists.

BECOME A SUPPORTER

Join as a Rider Member

For any female rider competing for a UCI-registered women’s team or racing in UCI-affiliated events.

BECOME A MEMBER

Since its founding in 2017, The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA) has achieved significant milestones in supporting professional female cyclists and continues to focus on key areas of work to empower female athletes.

Advocacy and Representation

Legal, Ethical & Career Support

Rider Support and Development

Education and Awareness

Contract and salary security

+75%

of World Tour and Pro riders now hold multi-year contracts

Earnings outside the Women’s World Tour

84%

of Continental riders earning under €20,000 annually

Safety concerns

#1

Dangerous race conditions remain the leading reason World Tour riders leave the sport prematurely

Source: 2024 Annual TCA Rider survey