However, despite significant progress, substantial gaps remain between the men’s and women’s pelotons. With rising team budgets, increasing sponsorship interest, and ongoing discussions about salary caps and financial equity, the future of earnings in women’s cycling is more dynamic than ever. As such, we’d like to break down the state of salaries in the women’s peloton—charting the evolution of pay structures, disparities with men’s cycling, and the potential future developments that could shape the sport.
The introduction of minimum salaries and its impact
Before 2020, women’s professional cycling completely lacked a standardised wage structure, leaving many riders reliant on prize money, personal sponsorships or even second jobs to sustain their careers (a more common situation than you’d expect). The introduction of a mandatory minimum wage for Women’s WorldTour teams changed that, aligning female cyclists with their male ProTeam counterparts. Initially set at €15,000 per year for self-employed riders and €26,849 for employed riders, the minimum salary has steadily increased.
By 2025, the mandated minimum salary for self-employed WWT riders will reach €62,320, while employed riders will earn at least €38,000. For neo-professionals entering the top tier of women’s cycling, the figures are slightly lower at €52,000 and €31,768, respectively.
Breaking down the numbers: How much do women cyclists actually earn?
While the introduction of minimum wages has been a game-changer, salaries in the women’s peloton vary widely. The majority of WWT riders earn between €80,000 and €100,000 per year, though significant disparities exist depending on team budgets, sponsorship backing, and individual achievements.
Domestiques and support riders: Those in supporting roles typically earn between €40,000 and €80,000 per year, depending on experience and team status. While these figures represent a substantial improvement from the pre-minimum wage era, they are still lower than their male counterparts.
Top 10 finishers and specialists: Cyclists consistently achieving top-10 finishes in major races can command salaries ranging from €150,000 to €250,000. Similarly, specialists such as sprinters and time trialists with consistent performances can negotiate competitive pay within this range.
Elite and star riders: The highest-paid women in the sport, including Grand Tour winners and world champions, can earn between €300,000 and €500,000 per year. Some of the sport’s biggest names, such as Annemiek van Vleuten before her retirement, have commanded salaries above €850,000 annually.
How do women’s salaries compare to men’s cycling?
Despite these advancements, women’s cycling salaries remain significantly lower than those in men’s cycling. The average salary for a men’s WorldTour rider is around €501,000 per year, with top riders such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard reportedly earning between €6 million and €7 million annually. Even domestiques in the men’s peloton often earn upwards of €200,000, a stark contrast to the women’s field.
A key reason for this disparity lies in sponsorship and television coverage. Men’s cycling enjoys far greater media exposure, attracting higher sponsorship deals and larger team budgets. While the highest-funded women’s teams operate with an annual budget of around €6 million to €7 million, top men’s teams can exceed €40 million.
The role of sponsorship and prize money
As anyone with a passing interest in cycling knows, sponsorship plays a crucial role. Teams rely heavily on brand partnerships rather than ticket sales or television rights. The influx of major sponsors into women’s cycling, such as Lidl-Trek, SD Worx, and Canyon//SRAM, has certainly contributed to higher wages and better resources. There is a lot of catching up left to be done, though, and the sport still lacks the level of financial backing seen by the men.
Prize money also remains an area of frustrating inequality. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, introduced in 2022, offered a total prize pool of €250,000 in its first edition, with the winner earning €50,000. By contrast, the men’s Tour de France boasts a total prize fund of over €2.3 million.
What’s next? The future of salaries in women’s cycling
The trajectory of women’s cycling salaries is moving in the right direction, but several key factors will determine future progress.
Continued sponsor growth: As more brands recognise the marketing potential of women’s cycling, increased sponsorship deals could lead to higher team budgets and better salaries for riders.
Enhanced media coverage: Increased television coverage and streaming options for women’s races could attract larger audiences, boosting revenue streams and financial investment in the sport.
Potential salary caps and revenue sharing: Some experts have proposed salary caps or revenue-sharing models to create a more sustainable financial ecosystem within women’s cycling, ensuring a balanced distribution of resources.
Breaking the €1 million barrier: Discussions around top-tier salaries surpassing €1 million are already underway, with expectations that some of the sport’s biggest names could reach this milestone in the coming years.
A promising but uneven road ahead
There’s no doubt that women’s cycling has made huge strides in equity, with minimum wage structures providing much-needed stability for professional riders. That said, substantial disparities remain when compared to men’s cycling, particularly at the upper echelons of the sport. The continued growth of sponsorship, media coverage, and investment will be crucial in bridging this gap and ensuring that women’s cycling continues to thrive.
As we look ahead, the key challenge will be maintaining the sport’s financial growth while ensuring long-term sustainability. With the right structural changes and continued investment, the dream of full salary parity may not be too far off, offering future generations of female cyclists the financial rewards and recognition they deserve.
