1. Why does women’s professional cycling need an association like The Cyclists' Alliance (TCA)?
Women’s professional cycling is growing rapidly, but it still faces challenges that require dedicated advocacy. The Cyclists' Alliance (TCA) is committed to ensuring that female cyclists have a strong, independent voice within the sport. TCA advocates for fair working conditions, pay equity, career security, and increased visibility across all levels, from WorldTour to ProTeam and Continental riders. Our work aims to raise standards in the sport, making cycling an attractive and sustainable career choice for future generations of female athletes.
Women’s professional cycling is growing rapidly, but it still faces challenges that require dedicated advocacy. The Cyclists' Alliance (TCA) is committed to ensuring that female cyclists have a strong, independent voice within the sport. TCA advocates for fair working conditions, pay equity, career security, and increased visibility across all levels, from WorldTour to ProTeam and Continental riders. Our work aims to raise standards in the sport, making cycling an attractive and sustainable career choice for future generations of female athletes.
2. What is the CPA?The Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) is the umbrella organisation representing professional cyclists, initially focused on male cyclists but more recently supporting female cyclists through the CPA Women section. CPA Women collaborates with key stakeholders such as the UCI, AIGCP, and race organisers to address critical issues like safety, race conditions, and representation for female athletes. The establishment of CPA Women has been an important step forward in supporting female cyclists within the broader structure of professional cycling.
3. Why would women’s professional cycling need an independent organisation?TCA provides a dedicated platform specifically for women's cycling, ensuring that the voices of female riders are heard and their issues addressed. TCA is focused on gender equality, career security, safety, and advocacy at every level of the sport, including legal support, mentorship, and career development. Our independent approach allows us to offer tailored resources and specialised services for female cyclists across WorldTour, ProTeam, and Continental riders, complementing the efforts of the CPA and other organisations.
4.What is The Cyclists’ Alliance point of difference?TCA offers dedicated advocacy and support services tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in cycling. TCA focuses on career security, mentorship, legal support, and advocacy to ensure that female riders at all levels have access to the resources they need to succeed, both on and off the bike. We work to create a more sustainable and equitable future for women’s professional cycling, ensuring their voices are amplified across the sport.
5. What is a Joint Agreement?A Joint Agreement is a formal contract between athletes (the labor) and their teams or organisers (the employers) that outlines terms such as minimum salaries, race schedules, and working conditions. The CPA has a Joint Agreement with the AIGCP, which represents the men’s professional cycling teams. Currently, there is no equivalent Joint Agreement for female cyclists. However, TCA is engaging with key stakeholders to ensure the development of a Joint Agreement that addresses pay equity, race conditions, and work standards for female athletes in the future.
6. What are TCA’s goals?
TCA’s primary goal is to advocate for female cyclists and ensure they have equal opportunities, better working conditions, and career security. We aim to raise visibility for women’s cycling, ensuring that female athletes are recognised for their achievements. Through advocacy, mentorship, and support services, TCA works to create a more sustainable and equitable sport for women, where they can thrive at every level of competition.
TCA’s primary goal is to advocate for female cyclists and ensure they have equal opportunities, better working conditions, and career security. We aim to raise visibility for women’s cycling, ensuring that female athletes are recognised for their achievements. Through advocacy, mentorship, and support services, TCA works to create a more sustainable and equitable sport for women, where they can thrive at every level of competition.
7. Who does TCA represent?TCA represents all female professional cyclists regardless of their team affiliation or competitive level. Whether WorldTour, ProTeam, or Continental riders, TCA works to ensure that female cyclists at every level of the sport are supported and have a platform to advocate for their rights and opportunities.
8. Who can join?Any female cyclist racing for a UCI women’s team is welcome to join TCA. We also encourage retired female cyclists to join as mentors and advisors, providing guidance to current riders.
9. Why do you ask for a contribution from the riders? What are you using this money for?TCA asks for contributions from its members to help cover operational costs such as communications, website maintenance, and member services. These contributions enable TCA to offer legal support, career development, and mentorship programmes. We are also working to secure partnerships and grants to ensure financial sustainability and support our ongoing efforts to improve the sport for women.
10. How could women’s cycling get more interest from the media?Increasing media exposure is essential to the growth of women’s cycling. We aim to make women’s cycling more visible, ensuring that the achievements of female athletes are celebrated across a wider audience. Increased media attention will lead to new fans, higher sponsorship and ultimately a stronger sport for women.
11. Why is women’s professional cycling economically different from the men’s sport?Women’s professional cycling offers a unique opportunity to attract sponsors focused on women’s empowerment, health, and wellness. TCA’s mission is to raise visibility and increase exposure for women’s cycling, ensuring that female athletes have the same sponsorship and career opportunities as their male counterparts.