Professional cycling Archives

Women gain equal prize money for Women’s Tour Down Under

January 23, 2018 Nicola Cycle racing, Professional cycling, Women cycling

Congratulations to the South Australian Government on its inspired decision to offer equal prize money for the Women’s Tour Down Under pro cycling race. As the men’s edition of the race was wrapping up on the weekend, the Sports Minister announced that his Government would add extra cash to the prize pool. I believe this is a first for women’s professional road cycling, where the women usually earn way less in prize money even for similar races. In last year’s Tour of Flanders race, the women’s prize money was reportedly 1,100 euros, compared to about 20,000 euros for the men.

The Cyclists’ Alliance is a huge leap forward for women’s professional cycling

January 16, 2018 Nicola Professional cycling, Women cycling

I almost missed the news that slipped out just before Christmas that a fantastic new initiative for women’s professional cycling, The Cyclists’ Alliance was here. Formed and backed by some of women’s cycling’s biggest names, the new international cycling union aims to be a resource and a cohesive voice for professional cyclists in order to promote and protect athlete safety and enhance professionalism within the sport. “We will work as a partner with the UCI and the UCI-registered women’s teams to help them form the first women’s teams association in global cycling,” says founder Iris Slappendel. “The Alliance is here to

Amazing persistence and focus pays off for Aussie Pro Cyclist Rachel Neylan

July 18, 2017 Nicola Cycle racing, Professional cycling, Women cycling

Two months ago, I attended a women’s cycling event at a local bike shop and was thrilled to meet Aussie pro cyclist Rachel Neylan. I was really impressed when I heard Rachel recount her story of determination to reach the top echelons of Australian women’s cycling. I was also impressed to find out that she was the driving force behind the event I was attending, and she was leaving Australia the very next day to begin her European season. On the night Rachel agreed to an interview and here’s the result….. Q: How did you get into cycling? I was

Get behind the Aussie riders in the Giro Rosa 2017

June 27, 2017 Nicola Cycle racing, Professional cycling, Women cycling

Each year I promote the women’s pro cycling race, Italy’s Giro Rosa 2017, and each time I also lament the fact that it’s held at the same time as the very high profile Tour de France. As a consequence it passes by almost unnoticed by most sports fans. Up until a few years ago it was considered the biggest stage race on the women’s calendar, but I’d argue that the much newer stage races – the Women’s Tour of Britain and the Women’s Tour of California – have now got a higher profile. Nonetheless I’d like to play my part

Get out and support the 2017 Women’s Tour cycle race

June 6, 2017 Nicola Cycle racing, Professional cycling, Women cycling

I love to see women’s pro cycling develop, and one race that’s growing nicely is the 2017 Women’s Tour cycle race, previously known as the Women’s Tour of Britain which starts in England tomorrow. It’s a five stage race covering the areas of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire Derbyshire, and a final criterium race in London on 11 June 2017. This year is the fourth edition of the race, and the first time the race has finished in the capital, using the same six-kilometre circuit around central London as the men’s Tour of Britain. Speaking at the launch of the route, race director

Meet Aussie Pro Cyclist Amanda Spratt who started 2017 in style

May 9, 2017 Nicola Cycle racing, Professional cycling, Women cycling

This week we hear from European-based Aussie pro cyclist Amanda Spratt, who hails from my home state of NSW. Amanda, or Spratty as I believe she’s known, has had a solid start to 2017 with a few great results. She was the overall winner of the Women’s Tour Down Under series and second in the Australian National Road Race, a title which she won in 2012 and 2016. Q: You started this year well with a win in the Women’s Tour Down Under series on home soil, how has the year continued for you? My first goal for 2017 was

Specialized Women’s Racing, raising the profile of women’s pro racing on the domestic scene

May 2, 2017 Nicola Professional cycling, Women cycling

One thing I’m really keen to do with this blog is to promote women’s professional road racing, so this week you can read about Australian team Specialized Women’s Racing. I caught up via email with team manager Liz Phillipou recently: Q: How many years has your team been in existence? First race was Noosa 2011, we are now in our 6th year of existence. Q: You’ve had a few sponsor changes over the years, is it difficult to be constantly looking for new ones? We have been extremely lucky to have the support of Specialized Australia since day one. We have had

Catching up with the Aussie women of Wiggle High5

March 14, 2017 Nicola Cycle racing, Olympic Games, Professional cycling, Track cycling, Women cycling

A couple of weeks ago I published an interview with Wiggle High5 owner/manager Rochelle Gilmore and thought I’d follow it up with an interview with the other Aussie women of Wiggle High5, riders Amy Cure and Nettie (Annette Edmondson). Enjoy…. Q: How have you found the racing in Australia over the summer months? Amy – It has been really fun. I’ve enjoyed myself a lot. I think taking a break from the road last season has really helped me, and I think It’s what I needed. It really confirmed how much I missed it, and I’m really looking forward to

A candid chat with Wiggle High5 women’s team owner Rochelle Gilmore

January 31, 2017 Nicola Image management, Professional cycling, Women cycling

I recently met up with Rochelle Gilmore, owner and manager of the Wiggle High5 women’s professional team and fellow Australian. Rochelle, who is based in Europe for most of the year met with me over a plate of upmarket fish and chips. All the while looking over the picturesque Cronulla beach, Rochelle’s Sydney home. She managed to squeeze me in between a morning ride with a friend, and a flight to Melbourne to be with her team for the Cadel Evans Melbourne race. It was the second time I’d sat down for a chat with Rochelle, and she was as candid

Women’s pro cycling needs its own ‘knight in shining armour’

December 13, 2016 Nicola Professional cycling, Women cycling

I’ve been following the progress of professional women’s cycling since I started writing this blog a bit over five years ago. Before then I was fairly oblivious to the sport, and only watched the men’s racing. In some ways I still only watch the men’s pro peloton because it’s the only cycling shown on Australian TV, but I do try and keep up with the women via social media. I think that women’s pro cycling needs a ‘knight in shining armour’ like the AFL to show its support. I don’t mean that women can’t look after themselves just fine, but