Annemiek van Vleuten backs push for TV coverage over prize money, as Strade Bianche fundraiser reaches €18,000
The winner of the last two editions of Strade Bianche says she hopes the groundswell of support will lead to more top-level races opening up for women, such as Il Lombardia
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The discrepancy in prize money between Omloop Het Nieuwsblad became one of the main talking points in the aftermath of Opening Weekend, with world champion Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx) picking up only €930 compared to Davide Ballerini's (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) €16,000.
Flanders Classics CEO Tomas Van Den Spiegel has stuck to his guns throughout the backlash, saying funds were better directed towards broadcasting the women's race live for the first time, which he argues will bring about more structural improvement to the women's side of the sport.
Annemiek van Vleuten agrees, and she still stands to gain if she wins Strade Bianche for a third straight year on Saturday after a crowdfunding campaign has so far raised €18,000 for the women's winner.
"I am very happy that fans apparently can't believe we are getting unequal prize money," Van Vleuten told Nrc.nl (opens in new tab) about one 41-year-old cycling fan's Go Fund Me campaign (opens in new tab) ahead of the Italian one-day classic.
"But the change has to be in a different order. Most importantly, women need to be seen on TV in races. For example, I would kill for a women's edition of the Tour of Lombardy. But if it is made mandatory that they have to pay out [equal] prize money immediately and that the race can't then happen because of that, we are doing the wrong thing."
The 2019 world champion goes on to say how she hopes the support surrounding the women's edition of Strade Bianche will be heard by race organisers RCS, who also put on Il Lombardia, and that they will get to work on an edition of the autumn classic she is permitted to race.
So far 750 people have donated to the crowdfunding campaign. Its creator, Dutchman Cem Tanyeri, says he has been annoyed about the inequality for years, and finally pulled the trigger to do something about it.
"There are so many people who express themselves indignantly, but do nothing about it. I thought: let me challenge them to put their money where their mouth is," he said. "I donate 50 euros and I will see who follows. See how much momentum we can create.
"We are in a constant circle: we talk, but we don't get any further. I want to set an example to others. If it is an action or an initiative with good intentions, it has a chance of success regardless of the topic. In 2021 we are still living in a society where female sporting and social performance is second level. And we get away with it too."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe: 'Crashing is part of the sport'
Frenchman says he has back pain following his Strade Bianche crash, will start Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar is a 'Campionissimo' says Eddy Merckx
Belgian legend says Pogačar is one of the greats after Strade Bianche solo victory
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Five talking points from Strade Bianche 2022
There are more things to think about than Pogačar
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar wins Strade Bianche with stunning solo attack
The UAE Team Emirates rider becomes the first Tour de France winner to win the Italian classic
By Pete Trifunovic • Last updated
-
Lotte Kopecky takes a classy victory at Strade Bianche
The Belgian champion out sprints and outwits Annemiek van Vleuten to take her biggest win to date
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Five things to look out for at Strade Bianche 2022
Both the men and women's pro pelotons take on the gruelling gravel of Strade Bianche this weekend - here's the key things to look out for
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Has the Women’s WorldTour outgrown the teams that race it?
Strade Bianche is the first race of 2022 Women’s WorldTour, but this year the top level of women’s racing has more days than ever. We ask if the WorldTour is too big
By Owen Rogers • Published