Paris-Roubaix: controversy over ridiculous premiums for women’s racing – rmc sport

The first edition of the Paris-Roubaix women’s race is accompanied by a controversy over the derisory premiums received by women, far from those of men.

After two and a half years of waiting, the 2021 edition of Paris-Roubaix did not disappoint with a dantesque spectacle in hellish weather conditions. It started on Saturday with the first women’s race in history won by Briton Elizabeth Daignan, after 116.5 kilometers. The next day, Sonny Colbrelli triumphed on the old velodrome after an epic 258 kilometers. Two meetings massively followed on television: 1.4 million viewers attended the women’s race on France 3 and 2.8 for those of men on Sunday (with a peak at 4.6 million).

This anthology weekend also ended with a controversy over the big difference in the rewards promised to men and those of women. Sonny Colbrelli collected 30,000 euros by crossing the finish line first on Sunday, nearly twenty times more than the Briton Lizzie Deignan (1,535 euros).

The rest of the table is decreasing according to the classification: 1.135 for the 2nd, 760 for the 3rd, 460 (4th), 385 (5th), 335 (6th), 305 (7th), 365 (8th), 225 (9th), 200 (10th) And the still significant gap with men’s bonuses: 22,000 (2nd), 15,000 (3rd), 7,500 (4th), 3,200 (5th), 1,700 (6th), 1,500 (7th), 1,300 (8th) , 1,200 (9th), 1,100 (10th). The first twenty of the two races receive an endowment (500 euros for runners from 16th to 20th place, 120 euros for women).

91,000 euros in endowments for men, 7.505 for women

The total premiums represent 91,000 euros for men against 7,005 euros for runners. This rises to 7.505 euros with the price of the NTT prize for “the most generous competitor in the effort and showing the best sportsmanship” (a price which does not exist in the men’s race). An insignificant nest egg for the participants, who do not make a living from their sport, for the most part, unlike all professional men. Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) did not explain this price difference registered in the competition regulations. It can be explained by the shorter duration of the race or the fewer sponsors for the women’s event.

Premiums in proportion to the kilometers traveled?

Before the controversy, Christian Prudhomme, race director at ASO, had confided his pride in organizing this event. He also announced the return of the women’s event of the Tour de France next summer. “We entered a virtuous circle, he confided recently on Europe 1. It is really essential. We want little girls to be able to dream of being champions just as boys can dream of being champions. “He also promised that the women’s race had everything to be perpetuated.

“I do not see why it would be an experience without a future, the symbol is so strong,” he added. He now knows that a financial effort is expected. “Without going until a total equality which would not mean much, why, for the next Paris-Roubaix, not to make the endowments to the kilometers traveled ?, proposes in The Parisian, Marion Clignet, double French road champion (1991, 1993) and double Olympic track medalist (1996, 2000) and president of the Association Française des Coureures Cyclistes (AFCC). The men do 257 km and the women 116. We just have to prorate and it will be more equal. I already hope that for the next women’s Tour de France, we will no longer have such a gap. “