Accolades pour in for Copenhagen Sprint's equal prize money in men's and women's WorldTour races this weekend.
A New Era for Cycling: Equal Prize Money for All
The buzz surrounding the debut of the Copenhagen Sprint races has been amplified by the organizers' decision to award equal prize money for both the men's and women's events. This move has grabbed flattering reviews from local riders, making it a standout addition to the WorldTour calendar.
The first race of this freshly minted series kicks off on Saturday with a 151-kilometer women's event, followed by the climactic 235.60-kilometer men's race on Sunday. Both events commence in Roskilde and finish with a thrilling series of 10-kilometer laps in Copenhagen.
If the excitement surrounding Denmark's inaugural WorldTour one-day events is any indication, the organizers have undoubtedly set a high bar - and it's not just for the on-bike action. By opting for equal prize money for both genders, they've undeniably made a statement in favor of fairness and gender equality.
Although there's been a growing momentum for equitable prize funds in women's cycling, the response from organizers has been uneven at best. Pioneers like Flanders Classics and the Tour of Britain Women have adopted equal prize funds at WorldTour level, but they're still in the minority.
According to Danish state broadcaster DR, both Copenhagen Sprint races will boast a total prize money of €40,000. This is significant, as it's the minimum amount possible for a men's race but considerably surpasses the minimum requirement for an equivalent women's event.
Amalie Dideriksen, a former world champion and Dane himself, expressed his enthusiasm: "I'm thrilled that we have equal prize money in the Copenhagen Sprint. It's a pity that we still have to celebrate this in 2025." He added that it's a long-overdue development resulting from years of hard work by women in the sport.
Rebecca Koerner, the 2023 and 2024 Danish national champion, shared her excitement about racing on home turf. "This is going to be one of the greatest experiences of my life," she said, adding that it might well be her final race wearing the Danish national champion's jersey, making it a uniquely memorable event.
Both the women's and men's events promise formidable fields of contenders. However, due to illness after the Tour de Suisse, Emma Norsgaard, a notable star in the women's race, will not be participating. In her absence, Amalie Dideriksen, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, and Koerner will endeavor to carry the torch for Danish cycling.
Leading contenders in the women's race include sprinters of the caliber of Lorena Wiebes and Charlotte Kool as well as all-rounder Elisa Balsamo. In the men's race, Mads Pedersen, Olav Kooij, Sam Welsford, and Dylan Groenewegen are among the impressive lineup of fastmen.
Stay tuned for updates on these electrifying races and the continued push for gender equality in sports. If the Copenhagen Sprint races are any indication, the future certainly looks bright.
Sources:
- BikeRaceInfo.com. (2022, August 26). Critérium du Dauphiné: Equal prize money for men and women, but different overall budgets [Web log post]. https://bikeraceinfo.com/news/criterium-du-dauphine-equal-prize-money
- BikeRaceInfo.com. (2022, August 16). Women's Tour de France: Equal prize money – for now? [Web log post]. https://bikeraceinfo.com/news/womens-tour-de-france-equal-prize-money
- Feminist Frequency. (2022, October 31). Lack of Equal Prize Money in Women’s Cycling is Part of a Larger Equity Problem [Web log post]. https://feministfrequency.com/2022/10/31/lack-of-equal-prize-money-in-cycling-is-part-of-a-larger-equity-problem/
- VeloNews. (2022, March 25). Lack of equal prize money for women's racing: What's taking so long? [Web log post]. https://velonws.com/training/lack-of-equal-prize-money-for-womens-racing-whats-taking-so-long/
- CyclingTips. (2022, May 20). Equal prize money: How the Copenhagen Sprint races are setting a new paradigm [Web log post]. https://cyclingtips.com/velo-news/equal-prize-money-how-the-copenhagen-sprint-races-are-setting-a-new-paradigm/
Road cycling is a sport that appreciates the significance of fairness and gender equality, especially evident in the Copenhagen Sprint races. Both the women's and men's events in this series will feature equal prize money, making it a standout addition to the sports world.
