'We need to consolidate' - Tour de France Femmes director defends prize money gap

Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift race director Marion Rousse has defended the significant prize money disparity between the men’s and women’s events, with a ten times difference, holding the view that the current versions of each event aren’t suitable for comparison due to their current size and nature.

The women's race offers a total prize fund of €264,152, approximately one-tenth of the men's €2.3 million pot, with winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot earning €50,000 compared to the €500,000 earned by Pogačar. However, Rousse focused on the growth of women's cycling in recent years, and the success of the Tour de France Femmes as an event. 

"We need to acknowledge that women's cycling was almost non-existent just four years ago,” Rousse said to Clapping Media, suggesting these figures reflect the current development stage of women's cycling rather than an inherent inequality.

"There was no salary structure in place, and women were professional cyclists but often had to work during the day to earn a living. The most important thing is being able to live off your passion rather than just focusing on prize money that does not provide for a sustainable income,” Rousse added.

Rousse pointed to the different race formats as another justification, with the men's event running three weeks compared to the women's nine days. "We're comparing the men's Tour de France, which lasts three weeks, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which lasts nine days. Of course, you have to compare what is comparable."

The race director suggested a more appropriate comparison would be with the men's Critérium du Dauphiné, a week-long race similar in duration to the women's Tour, compared to the 21 stages of the men's Tour de France.

"When you compare the prize funds, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift actually boasts a larger prize pool than the Critérium du Dauphiné for an equivalent number of race days," Rousse explained.

Rousse emphasised the importance of sustainable growth for the race, and cautioned against demanding immediate parity 

"We need to consolidate the event first, because if the Tour were to stop next year, it would be a disaster for women's cycling, which has been developing strongly year after year," said Rousse.

The women's Tour de France was revived in 2022 after a 33-year absence, with ASO committing to its long-term development as a premier event on the women's racing calendar, and the race was extremely entertaining, competitive, and well supported along the route for all nine stages, a very promising sign for the women's peloton and the future trajectory.