The prize money for all men’s and women’s cycling races organised by Flanders Classics will be equal this year, a historic first. In 2022 this was already the case for the Tour of Flanders and the principle will now be applied to other Belgian races, starting with the Circuit Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday.
The decision is part of the “Closing the Gap” initiative created by Flanders Classics and its partner KMPG. The project aims to create a sustainable economic model for women’s cycling.
“Last year we expressed the ambition to achieve equal prize money in our races in 2023,” said Thomas Van Den Spiegel, managing director of Flanders Classics, in a statement on Thursday. This also concerns Ghent-Wevelgem, the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Scheldeprijs and the Brabantse Pijl.
The Classics are back. 🔥 #FLCS #SetThePace pic.twitter.com/kafgm8ZEgj
— Flanders Classics (@FlandersClassic) February 22, 2023
Van Den Spiegel told Sporza that the prize money for a monument like the Tour of Flanders is €50,000, of which €20,000 goes to the winner. For the organisation's six races combined, prize money totals some €400,000 euros.
“Equal pay for women is an issue that goes beyond money,” added Stefanie Pauwels, sales and marketing manager at KMPG. “The extra money creates better conditions for female cyclists, both financially and athletically. It allows them to develop their skills full-time, to excel and to move forward in their sporting careers. The initiative will have a snowball effect. We do see other cycling organisations following our example. Like the Tour de France with the Women’s Tour de France.”
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With their investments, Flanders Classics and KPMG want to expand the base of women’s cycling. For example, the U17 and U19 female riders will also compete in Ghent-Wevelgem (26 March) and the Tour of Flanders (21 May).
“Until last year, these races did not exist for young female riders,” Van Den Spiegel stressed. “Investing early in the careers of young people will have a systemic and generational impact in the cycling world.”
