The first edition of Paris-Roubaix women this Saturday was a great success. At the level of the show but also of the audiences. More than 2 million people were in front of their televisions to witness the victory of Englishwoman Elizabeth Deignan. But if, in the general opinion, this Hell of the North feminine version is a big step forward for the promotion of the discipline, there is a huge margin of progress: that of the financial endowment for the first 10. It’s simple: the men’s winner receives almost 20 times more for the first woman: 30,000 euros against 1,535 €.
And the first Frenchwoman on arrival, Audrey Cordon-Ragot will receive for her 8th place an almost obol: 265 euros. The 8th man will receive €1,300. The total prize money for women is €7,005 against… €91,000 for men. Without advocating total egalitarianism, many voices, especially on social networks, are indignant at such a discrepancy. Marion Clignet, President of the French Association of Female Cyclists (AFCC), which aims to professionalize women’s cycling, is one of them.
“We can’t accept just anything”
“It’s clearly not normal, reacts the former double champion of France on the road (1991, 1993) and double Olympic medalist on the track (1996, 2000). Obviously, it’s great that there is a first women’s Paris-Roubaix, but we can’t just accept anything. How can we still be there in 2021? You don’t need complete equality but 200 euros for the 10th while it’s an incredible performance, frankly, is that normal? Looks like fairground prizes. »
Especially since, according to a study by the international union of women riders The Cyclists Alliance dating from 2020, 25% of the female professional peloton does not receive any salary. “Men don’t need racing prizes to live,” continues Marion Clignet. While for many women, who receive a very small salary, it is important. I confess that I did not expect such a difference. It’s shameful that girls are paid less than men. »
It thus offers a solution for the next important women’s races, including the women’s Tour de France, which will be reborn from its ashes this summer. “Without going as far as total equality which would not mean much, why, for the next Paris-Roubaix, not make allowances for the kilometers traveled? The men do 257 km and the women 116. We just have to do a pro rata 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. »
According to Marion Clignet, the good audience scores for this first women’s Paris-Roubaix are not a surprise. But rather an argument. “During the last French Championships, women made 1 million viewers and men 1.2 million. It’s getting closer, she concludes. There is still work to be done for equality, even if we shouldn’t be mistaken on the target. I congratulate ASO, the organizer, for having created this women’s Paris-Roubaix. It’s going in the right direction, but we cannot accept such a gap. We must do better quickly. »
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