All Flanders Classics races, from Omloop to the Tour of Flanders, to have equal prize money
Women will earn the same as men from this year, as €400,000 is split across six races


All road races organised by Flanders Classics will have equal prize money from this year, it was announced on Thursday.
The race organisers are behind six Spring Classics, starting with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this weekend. Their portfolio also contains the Tour of Flanders.
It is part of a three-year project by Flanders Classics, partnered with KPMG called Closing the Gap. The project was launched in 2020 to develop women’s cycling and put it on an equal footing with the men’s events.
The Tour of Flanders already had the same prize money, which started last year, but now all five others will have the same winnings for men and women.
“We had already announced that long-term strategy three years ago. In 2023 we wanted to equalize the prize money for all spring races and if you say so, you should do it,” the CEO of Flanders Classics, Tomas Van Den Spiegel, told Sporza.
“For us, it is the icing on the cake, part of a bigger picture. We have already been working on upgrading the starting fees, improving our competitions, and increasing media coverage and broadcasting hours.”
"You can't be left behind with the prize money and we want to show that this is the momentum. We want to lead by example," he added.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Women's cycling used to be described by organisers as a cost, today it is an investment."
Dwars door Vlaanderen, Gent-Wevelgem, Scheldeprijs and Brabantse Pijl are the other races organised by Flanders Classics; the last ten years has seen all of their six have women's races, the last of which was Scheldeprijs.
"We want to be innovative and we want to remain first in our class," Van Den Spiegel said. "And so I think other organisers will be obliged to follow."
"This sport is becoming popular. There is a new generation, women's cycling is appealing and the stories stand perfectly on their own. It has an independent future."
As for actual money, €50,000 is split between the riders of the respective men's and women's Tour of Flanders, while the other five have slightly less on offer. Van Den Spiegel said €400,000 is spread across the races.
“Equal pay for women is about more than just money,” KPMG's Head of Sales & Marketing Stefanie Pauwels told Sporza. "It also has enormous symbolic value."
"Additional resources are a step towards the best conditions for female cyclists, both financially and sportingly. In this way they can increasingly realize their ambition to sharpen their skills full-time, to excel and to go all the way for a sports career."
"The initiative also leads to a snowball effect: we effectively see that other organisations worldwide follow the example of Flanders Classics Women, such as the Tour de France, thanks to our support."
Thank you for reading 20 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

Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
3D printed saddles made just for you—does your rear require one? A review of Posedla’s Joyseat 2.0
Custom down to the name imprinted in the saddle. Posedla makes an impressively well-designed, high-quality product. But is it worth the price tag?
-
'I'm not even sure my coaches know my limits' - British cycling sensation Matthew Brennan wins again
Teenager claims third WorldTour victory of the season and takes leader's jersey at Tour de Romandie
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
-
British team blocked from competing in key Spring Classics
Hess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
-
'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victory
The Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
-
'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of Flanders
The world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
-
'Flanders is a race that demands a complete cyclist' - Neilson Powless aims for the Ronde in key month
The American is set to ride Paris-Nice before taking on the Tour of Flanders and the Ardennes Classics
-
Elisa Longo Borghini pips Kasia Niewiadoma on the line to win second Tour of Flanders
In-form Italian praises Lidl-Trek team after repeating feat she achieved in 2015