Female Tour de France champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot being awarded significantly less prize money compared to Tadej Pogačar, as stated by the race director, is deemed an unfair comparison.
In the historic return of a major stage race for women's cycling, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift concluded last week, marking the first yellow jersey win for France in over 30 years by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot. However, the celebration is tempered by the ongoing disparity in prize money between the women's and men's races.
Ferrand-Prevot, a French cyclist who won two stages in the women's event, took home €50,000 for her overall victory. This is a significant achievement, but it is ten times less than the €500,000 prize awarded to Tadej Pogacar, the winner of the men's race.
The women's race, which lasted nine days, had a total prize pool of approximately €264,000, while the men's race offered around €2.3 to €2.6 million, maintaining a roughly 10:1 ratio in total prize money. This disparity has been a longstanding issue in professional cycling, despite the growing popularity and quality of the women's event.
The shortness of the women's race, compared to the men's 21-day race, partially explains the difference in revenue. However, the large gap in prize money ratio remains a critical concern. For instance, the top-earning team in the women's race, Visma-Lease a Bike, received €76,190, while UAE Team Emirates, the top-earning team in the men's race, took home €701,280 - a stark contrast that is 45 times more.
The Tour de France Femmes, which started in 2022, has brought more sponsorship and financial benefits for women's teams and riders. However, the comparison between the two races highlights the ongoing inequality in professional cycling's prize money distribution.
Other notable performances in the women's race included Demi Vollering and Elise Chabey's efforts for FDJ Suez, which earned them €53,810. Lorena Wiebes won two stages and the green jersey for SD Worx-Protime, and Marianne Vos also secured a stage win.
As the Tour de France Femmes continues to grow in popularity and competition, it is hoped that the prize money disparity will be addressed to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all cyclists.
References: 1. The Guardian 2. Cycling Weekly 3. CyclingTips 4. CyclingNews 5. VeloNews
Despite the significant achievement of Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, the winner of the Tour de France Femmes, her prize money of €50,000 is ten times less than the €500,000 awarded to Tadej Pogacar, the winner of the men's race. This disparity in prize money between the women's and men's races persists as a critical concern in professional cycling, despite the growing popularity and quality of the women's event.
