The Cyclists' Alliance has just published the results of its annual survey of women riders, revealing a third of women pro cyclists are not paid a salary, with a further 10% receiving under 20,000.Low-paid or unpaid riders were concentrated in third-tier Continental level teams, because the UCI, cyclings governing body, stipulates minimum salaries for riders at the higher ProTeam and WorldTeam levels.In addition, 52% of Continental riders also reported uncovered travel expenses and 54% uncovered medical or physio costs. They also had fewer race days than those in higher-level teams and TCA also highlights the reduced number of development races in the calendar as a barrier to development.TCA was founded by women professional cyclists in 2017 to represent their interests. The report is based on responses from 127 female pro riders, across six disciplines, of whom 118 were road cyclists. Of those, 42 rode at WorldTour level, 21 at ProTeam and 52 at Continental team level.Other respondents competed in track, gravel, MTB, cyclocross and paracycling.Tough to get established While star riders can reportedly command a salary of around 1 million, many Continental-level women riders are not paid at all. Nicolas Tucat / AFP via Getty Images As well as not receiving a salary, 79% of Continental riders reported they were on one-year contracts, versus 10% for WorldTeam riders, with 67% reporting fewer than 30 race days in the previous year. Many Continental-level riders had second jobs (48%) or were in education (46%), with only 27% reporting cycling as their only commitment.TCA identified a reduction in development races for riders as a significant concern, with lower-tier races downgraded, shortened or, in the case of the Tour de lAvenir Femmes, cancelled altogether.Meanwhile, 73% of Continental-level riders reported finance as the predominant concern that might cause them to leave the sport.Safety a major concern for Womens WorldTeam ridersFinancial considerations are less of a consideration for riders in the ProTeam and WorldTeam pelotons, but race safety instead becomes their major concern. 74% of WorldTeam riders include it in their top three priorities for action and 40% as a reason why they might retire earlier than planned.Cyclists competing at Womens WorldTour level are covered by a minimum salary entitlement stipulated by the UCI. In 2026, this was set at 31,768 for a newly employed rider and 38,000 for other employed riders.For self-employed riders, who make up a significant proportion of the peloton, the figures were 52,100 for new riders and 62,320 for others. Its reported that star riders command salaries of around 1 million.49% of respondents highlighted the need to increase the visibility of womens racing as an issue. In 2026, even headline races such as Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour de France Femmes were not televised from start to finish.Alongside its annual rider survey, TCA also provides services including legal guidance and mentorship to women cyclists and represents their views to the UCI and stakeholders in womens professional cycling.