UCI approves equal prize money in men's and women's races in most world championship events

The UCU has approved proposals for equal prize money for men's and women's races in most of the world championship events.

The decision takes effect in January, with the International Cycling Union ruling that "no distinction should be made between the achievements of men and women."

UCI President Pat McQuaid said it was: "a simple but very important step forward in our effort to guarantee a healthy and fair future for our sport."

The UCI management committee's ruling applies to all cycling disciplines apart from the road team time trial, which is funded differently, with prize money from a contribution from the UCI WorldTour’s reserve and solidarity fund.

The team time-trial, which reappeared at this year’s road world championships in Valkenburg, Netherlands, is the only event raced in commercial team jerseys.

The proposals, and  in general, moves towards increased equality, do raise questions in the future if similar rules were to be appled for the larger women's races including the Giro Donne and the Tour de France Feminin, which at present do not attract the same levels of funding as the men's equivalents, The Giro Donne has been under pressure this year with doubts as to whether it would continue, while funding pressures first shrank the Tour de France Feminin and then killed it - the last edition was won by Britain's Emma Pooley in 2009.