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

First event will be Cylocross Worlds in January

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.

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TheSpaniard | 11 years ago
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Does this mean that the women will be racing the same distances as the men now as well, or is this going to be like equal prize money in tennis?

The same money for less work isn't equality, it's positive discrimination.

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brakesmadly replied to TheSpaniard | 11 years ago
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TheSpaniard wrote:

Does this mean that the women will be racing the same distances as the men now as well, or is this going to be like equal prize money in tennis?

The same money for less work isn't equality, it's positive discrimination.

'Like!'

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Municipal Waste | 11 years ago
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 47 The UCI really ARE insane!!!!  19

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antonio | 11 years ago
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Top marks to the Aussie girl who expressed herself with 'naughty' words on this very issue.

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WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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I think it was 6 stages - which doesn't lesson the achievement - but as Pooley herself said - it's not really a tour of much of France. I'd like to see TV pick up the women's Giro this year and a new extended TDF of say 10-12 stages?

I worry if Eurosport or ITV4 don't act, Murdoch will pounce and women's cycling will be unavailable to those of us happy at present with Freeview and/or Virgin Media. It'll be akin to buying a complete apple pie in three pieces from three different shops.  7

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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"the last edition [of the TdF Feminin] was won by Britain's Emma Pooley in 2009."

There's the gender injustice right there. I took a long break from cycling until 2011 so I wasn't aware of this, but all this year we've been doing somersaults over "the first brit to win the TdF" - but apparently he isn't! That must be vexing for her.

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Tony Farrelly | 11 years ago
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not any more. double posting is something to do with the connection I think

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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Its great news, about time aswell, but you've posted it twice  3

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