Kate Veronneau’s Zwift voyage into the world of women’s cycling
Women’s cycling has made tremendous strides in recent years, with more visibility, exciting races, and growing interest from fans and sponsors alike. However, the journey towards true equality in the sport is far from complete. Acknowledging this, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL has announced significant measures to close the gender gap in professional cycling.
A Visionary Approach to Women’s Cycling
As a trailblazer in the world of cycling, Team dsm-firmenich has been at the forefront of promoting women’s participation in the sport. The team established its Women’s program in 2011, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering talent and providing equal opportunities for female cyclists. This initiative expanded in 2017 with the introduction of a Development program, further solidifying the team’s dedication to nurturing riders across different age groups and genders.
The comprehensive structure of the team, which encompasses Men, Women, and Development programs, allows for the sharing of expertise, resources, and knowledge across all levels. This integrated approach ensures that all athletes, regardless of gender, benefit from the team’s cutting-edge scientific insights, advanced training methods, and top-tier equipment. As the sport continues to evolve, Team DSM-firmenich PostNL remains committed to staying ahead of the curve and driving progress in women’s cycling.
Accelerating Progress in Women’s Cycling
The rapid growth of women’s cycling is evident in the increasing viewership and enthusiasm for major races on the calendar. Despite these advances, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL recognizes that more work needs to be done to achieve true parity between men’s and women’s elite racing. The team is actively working to bridge the gap by ensuring that female athletes have access to the same resources, training opportunities, and financial support as their male counterparts.
One of the most significant steps in this direction is the announcement that, starting next year, the minimum salary for World Tour neo-pros and World Tour elite contracts will be the same for both the Men and Women programs. This landmark decision, supported by co-title partner PostNL, reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, health, inclusiveness, and equal opportunities in life and sport.
“Steps to bridge the payment gap like this are crucial to further develop and professionalize the sport alongside its commercial growth, to give female athletes access to the same resources as their male counterparts and enable them to make a genuine and comfortable living from doing what they love the most,” the team stated.
Challenges and Future Goals
While the progress in women’s cycling is commendable, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL acknowledges that several challenges still need to be addressed. Marloes Poelman, the team’s Head of Finance and Operations, highlighted some of the key areas requiring attention: “There is still a way to go for women’s elite racing as a whole to professionalize and reach true equality. We must consider important aspects such as improving safety standards, the economic model underpinning this professional sport, TV coverage, accommodation of team personnel and facilities at races, and modernizing the global cycling calendar for men and women’s events to better coincide and complement one another.”
These challenges underscore the need for a collective effort across the sport to create a more equitable environment for female cyclists. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL is committed to playing a pivotal role in this ongoing transformation, working alongside partners like PostNL to drive meaningful change.
A Partnership Rooted in Equality
The partnership between Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and PostNL is built on a foundation of shared values, particularly the belief in equal pay for equal work. Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, emphasized the importance of this principle: “We’re a proud partner of Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, and we’re happy to see a very important next step will take place starting January 2025. Amongst many other actions to further support the development of female cyclists, equalizing the minimum salaries for the Women and Men programs is a very important step. At PostNL, we ensure equal pay for equal work.”
This commitment to financial equality is a significant milestone in the partnership and serves as a model for other organizations in the sport. By closing the financial gap between male and female cyclists, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and PostNL are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in professional cycling.
Looking Ahead
As women’s cycling continues to evolve, the initiatives undertaken by Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are crucial in shaping the future of the sport. By setting a standard for equality, the team not only enhances the professional landscape for current athletes but also inspires the next generation of female cyclists.
The road to true equality in women’s cycling is a long one, but with continued efforts from teams like dsm-firmenich PostNL and their partners, the gap is steadily closing. The actions taken today will have lasting impacts, ensuring that future generations of female cyclists have the opportunities, resources, and recognition they deserve.