FAQ

Women’s professional cycling is poised to become one of the fastest-growing and most commercially successful sports for women. Unlike men’s cycling, which evolved slowly through tradition and political rivalries, women’s cycling has the unique opportunity to break free from this model. By uniting the interests of female athletes and enhancing the sport’s public image, an independent association like TCA can help drive collaboration between teams, the UCI, and race organisers. This cooperation will strengthen the sport, create greater economic and career opportunities, and ensure that the growth of women’s cycling is not limited by a few key figures.

Any female cyclist who has a valid UCI license and is currently racing in UCI-sanctioned events can become a Rider Member of The Cyclists’ Alliance. 

Thank you for your interest in backing our mission! Please sign up to become a supporter and join us in making a meaningful impact.

The Cyclists’ Alliance represents all women in professional cycling – today and for the future. No matter where a rider is from, be it Italy, Namibia, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Colombia, China, Australia, or beyond, we are here to speak for everyone. We are deeply committed to advocating for women in the sport, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. By working with cycling’s stakeholders at every level, we strive to influence decisions and foster collaboration that drives meaningful change, paving the way for a stronger and more equitable future for women’s cycling.

The Cyclists’ Alliance is an independent organisation funded entirely by membership fees from riders, as well as donations and sponsorships. The funds we collect are used to cover staff costs  (link to the staff page), ensuring that we can provide the best possible support to our members. This includes support with legal matters, ethical issues, career guidance, and professional development, both during and after your career. Rider members can access these services at no cost. Additionally, contributions allow TCA to advocate on behalf of riders with governing bodies, driving the development of women’s cycling and fostering relationships that will support the growth of the sport. Your support helps maintain TCA’s independence and strengthens our ability to protect and promote the rights of female riders.

At The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), our primary goal is to be the united voice for every woman in professional cycling – today and for generations to come. We strive to create a supportive environment that empowers female athletes to thrive, both during their careers in this physically demanding sport and beyond.

Our mission extends beyond individual success. We are dedicated to strengthening the collective power of female cyclists, amplifying their influence among key stakeholders, and shaping the future of women’s professional cycling. By working together, we aim to build a sport that values equity, opportunity, and respect for all riders.

Women’s professional cycling operates in a unique economic space compared to men’s cycling, largely due to the different ways companies market to women. Brands targeting women understand the importance of messages around personal change, health, wellness, status, design, and value. Often dissimilar to men, women tend to make purchasing decisions based on their impression of athletes as individuals, and how well they relate to them, rather than solely on their victories or record-breaking exploits.

This opens up new, diverse sponsorship opportunities for women’s cycling, rather than relying on sponsor categories that have traditionally supported the men’s side of the sport. Similarities can be found in tennis, where gender parity between men’s and women’s tournaments has evolved over the past forty years since the iconic “Battle of the Sexes” between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King. Marketing within men’s tennis has focussed heavily on proven winners while women’s tennis highlights the relatability of its stars to women all over the world. While not every boy can aspire to win Wimbledon, every girl can aspire to be strong and successful, a message conveyed by tennis icons like Serena Williams and players such as Anna Kournikova, who resonated deeply with fans despite never winning a Grand Slam.

The Cyclists’ Alliance recognises the ability of women athletes to transcend the sport itself – whether through major victories or by simply connecting with women who enjoy the sport for all it brings to their life. This ability to relate is a powerful strength and something which we will help to leverage. Most importantly, greater media visibility of women’s cycling, with more focus on the individual athletes and their personal stories, can drive the growth of the sport. Increased investment in women’s cycling-specific products and services could attract many new participants, and foster long term growth in the cycling world. Women’s professional cycling has the potential to outshine men’s professional cycling in both visibility and economic success, changing the business model of the sport in the process.

Media interest in women’s cycling depends heavily on the investment that race organisers make in live broadcasts. Currently, women’s races receive only a fraction of the airtime given to men’s events, limiting visibility and audience reach.

At The Cyclists’ Alliance, we work to bring teams, race organisers, and stakeholders together to address this disparity. For teams to thrive, it’s vital that sponsors gain exposure to a broader audience beyond cycling’s core fanbase.

Improving the quality of broadcasts and expanding coverage through global news networks and digital platforms are critical steps. By telling compelling stories about women’s cycling, we can attract new fans, engage a diverse audience, and build a stronger following for the sport.

Ultimately, we aim to position cycling as a sport and lifestyle activity for women everywhere, creating a larger, more engaged community around women’s racing.

A Joint Agreement in sports is a formal, negotiated contract between employees (the riders) and employers (the teams). It fosters a professional environment by facilitating meaningful discussions between the parties involved, rather than having rules imposed independently by an international federation with little or no consultation of key stakeholders.

These agreements are co-developed by representatives of both employers and employees, creating a framework that prioritises a safe, fair, and secure working environment. Joint Agreements can be established at both national and international levels and take precedence over regulations set by sports federations.

In cycling, the CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés) has successfully negotiated such an agreement, but it currently applies only to male cyclists and is limited to teams that are members of the Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels (AIGCP).

Unfortunately, no equivalent agreement exists for female cyclists. Their working conditions are governed solely by UCI regulations, which are often set single-handedly, with limited input from the stakeholders they impact. These regulations frequently fail to address the specific needs and challenges of the women’s peloton.

At The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), we believe that establishing a Joint Agreement for female cyclists is critical to achieving parity and professional standards in the sport. Our goal for 2025 is to secure such an agreement, ensuring improved working conditions for female riders. This includes addressing key areas such as fair salaries, caps on maximum race days, and formalised rider status.

A Joint Agreement will be a vital step toward creating the professional environment that female cyclists deserve. We remain committed to advocating for this transformative change.