Women’s cycling has been under a slow reform for years, but there has never been a clear pathway presented along which to take the kinds of steps forward that it deserves as a professional sport - especially one which all parties agree on.
UCI President David Lappartient has made a point to improve gender equality and working conditions for women in cycling during his time in office, and as such, the UCI began announcing details of the Women's WorldTour reforms in July, starting with a new declaration of recognition of ethical principles to raise awareness of harassment.
There will be stricter contract regulations, a tiered-team system - Women's WorldTeam and Continental Teams - five teams as part of the top tier in the first year, with a goal of reaching 15 teams by 2022, by adding five new teams per year. And a new events calendar; UCI ProSeries that includes four classes: UCI Women's WorldTour, UCI ProSeries, Class 1 and Class 2.
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There will be minimum salaries starting at €15,000 in 2020 and increasing to just under €30,000 by 2023, for the WorldTeams only. The UCI recently published amendments to its rules and regulations that detailed these changes and included a sample standard self-employed contract that highlighted a new maternity leave clause and additional insurances such as health and pension plans, all of which are set to take effect in 2020.
But from the teams' perspective, there is the elephant in the room; how can women's teams, many of which struggle to find adequate sponsorship, afford these reforms?
Cyclingnews has covered the upcoming reforms in depth, in speaking with the UCI and the riders, but the teams have been reluctant to comment because the details of the reforms are still unclear.
Exposure is a must
Affordability - Downsizing and fear of folding
Limited communication
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/womens-worldtour-reforms-a-team-perspective
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