As Grace Brown marks her first six months as President of The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), we are proud to unveil a bold and future-facing strategy that defines our mission for 2025 and beyond:
“The Independent Voice of Women’s Professional Cycling: Empowering Riders, Advancing Equality, Securing Futures.”
The last decade has seen women’s professional cycling progress rapidly. But with increased professionalisation and exposure comes new pressures and widening gaps, especially below the top tier. TCA’s updated strategy responds to this shifting landscape. We remain committed to supporting female cyclists across all disciplines and levels as the sport evolves, but with greater focus on the distinct issues experienced by each group.
Our new strategic direction is driven by the insights gathered via the TCA Annual Rider Survey, our Rider Council and member feedback and reflects the most urgent challenges they face today:
- Rider safety, both in competition and team environments.
- Financial insecurity, particularly at Continental level, where over half of riders earned under €10,000 in 2024.
- Insufficient visibility and broadcast coverage, limiting commercial growth and engagement.
These issues are forcing talented athletes out of the sport far too early. TCA’s new strategy aims to change that, by focusing on three core priorities.
1. Advocacy: We will push for stronger regulation and safer racing environments, while championing greater visibility for women’s cycling.
TCA is committed to working with media, sponsors, and governing bodies to ensure women’s achievements are recognised and the sport receives the exposure it deserves. Advocacy has always been at the heart of TCA, and we are proud to have been a leading advocate for fairness, safety, and professional development in women’s cycling. The advocacy work we are most proud of recently includes:
- Influencing major policy changes such as; the UCI’s updated Ethics Code, pushing for clearer protections against abuse and harassment resulting in the appointment of a UCI Integrity Manager, and successfully advocating for a standalone U23 Women’s World Championship road race, challenging the initial decision to combine it with the elite event in 2022.
- Calling attention to the needs of Continental-level riders, asking for structural reforms to ensure fair pay, conditions, and career pathways for all.
- Additionally, our “It’s Right to Say No” campaign equipped riders with the tools and confidence to reject unsafe or unfair conditions".
2. Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Through expanded webinars and our TCA mentorship program (TCAMP), we’ll provide riders with essential knowledge from salary negotiations to female health support, ensuring they can navigate and build careers both on and off the bike. TCA has delivered 1,000+ hours of mentorship through TCAMP since it’s launch in 2018.
3. Support Services: TCA’s independent legal and ethical experts provide riders with vital support to address issues such as; employment rights and ethical breaches, giving them the confidence to protect and shape their careers. TCA has supported 400+ riders with legal advice since our inception.
“Being a professional cyclist shouldn’t mean sacrificing safety, stability, or dignity. Our strategy is about building a sport where athletes are nurtured.”
— Grace Brown, President, The Cyclists’ Alliance
TCA is a rider-first, member-driven, and independent voice in women’s cycling. Our aim is to make the professional pathway not only viable but inspiring for current athletes and future generations alike.
“If you believe in equality, progress, and the power of women’s sport, now is the time to join us. Become a supporter member or partner with TCA and help us build a safer, fairer, and more sustainable future for professional cycling.TCA relies on rider memberships, grants, and private donations. Independence ensures unbiased support, led by rider needs, not external agendas. Your support powers our progress"
— Christine O’Connell, Vice President, The Cyclists’ Alliance
We believe this moment represents a critical turning point in the evolution of women’s professional cycling, and we’d be delighted to explore editorial collaborations, interviews with Grace Brown or our board, and deeper insights from our latest rider survey when we release the results in July 2025.
Thank you for helping us amplify this movement.
Warm regards,
The Cyclists’ Alliance
📩 Press enquiries, please contact Leah Kirchmann at communications@cyclistsalliance.org
🌍 www.cyclistsalliance.org
