2024: The Year of Women’s Cycling
What began as a passion project to promote and support women’s cycling has grown into a platform that told stories, highlighted victories, and brought attention to a side of the sport that deserves so much more. Yet, despite our successes and moments of joy, the harsh reality of diminishing resources and the inability to create consistent, unique content has made it impossible for us to continue.
This article is not just a goodbye—it’s a celebration of what we’ve accomplished, the stories we’ve shared, and the people who believed in us. It’s also a reflection on the challenges women’s cycling still faces and why, though we are stepping aside, the fight for equality and recognition is far from over.
A Journey Rooted in Cycling
Our story didn’t start with ProCycling Women—it began more than 15 years ago, in 2010, when we were creating video content for cycling teams under the banner of RaboSport, Thanks to Marjolein Lauret, who introduced me to the sport and gave me the opportunity to settle into the sport. These early days gave us a unique perspective on the sport, allowing us to tell authentic stories about the riders, teams, and moments that defined cycling.
In 2013, we became part of the Rabobank Women’s Team, one of the most prestigious organizations in women’s cycling at the time. This experience was a turning point, giving us an inside look at professional cycling and allowing us to build relationships with some of the sport’s top athletes.
Following our time with Rabobank, we were contracted by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) to promote professional women’s cycling. For six years, we worked tirelessly to bring the sport to a broader audience, producing stories, live updates, interviews, and managing the UCI’s social media channels. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase the talent and grit of women’s cycling to the world.
When that contract ended, we knew our journey wasn’t over. Women’s cycling deserved a dedicated platform, and so, by the end of 2023, ProCycling Women was born. It was our way of continuing the mission: to give women’s cycling the spotlight it deserves.
A Mission Worth Fighting For
When we started ProCycling Women, our goal was simple yet bold: to shine a light on women’s cycling. From the world-class performances at the Tour de France Femmes to the grit of lesser-known riders competing in smaller races, we sought to tell the stories that mattered and covered all races throughout the UCI Women’s WorldTour. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of covering some of the sport’s most inspiring moments.
One of our highlights was our coverage of the Tour de France Femmes, where Kasia Niewiadoma’s hard-fought victory showcased the incredible talent and drama of women’s racing. Niewiadoma, reflecting on her win, shared: “I’ve had so many near-misses in my career, and this year, everything came together. It feels like a dream.” Covering this moment reinforced the importance of women’s cycling as a spectacle worthy of global attention. Seeing the young Polish rider flourish since our time at the Rabobank Women’s Team was both filled with emotion and pride.
Celebrating Successes
Despite the challenges, 2024 was filled with moments that made our mission worthwhile. Our interviews and features allowed us to dig deeper into the sport’s stories.
Even outside the race results, we covered innovations like the normobaric chamber at Flanders Cobblestone Paradise, demonstrating how recovery technology is advancing in women’s cycling. We saw firsthand how teams and organizations are pushing boundaries, even in the face of limited resources.
The Challenges We Faces
While the victories were many, so too were the struggles. As an independent media outlet, we faced significant hurdles in accessing the stories we wanted to tell. Increasingly, teams and race organizers relied on in-house content creators to control narratives, making it difficult for independent outlets like ours to provide fresh perspectives.
Financial sustainability was another challenge. Partnerships, the lifeblood of any media platform, became harder to secure. Much of the cycling world’s attention—and budgets—flowed to marquee events like the Tour de France Femmes, leaving little support for independent media or smaller races. Without these partnerships, it became increasingly difficult to produce the quality and quantity of content our audience deserved.
Why We’re Saying Goodbye
Ultimately, it was a combination of these factors—financial challenges, reduced access to unique content, and the evolving media landscape—that led us to this decision. We believe in the power of storytelling, but without the resources to do it justice, we felt it was better to step back.
Our website will remain online as an archive of the work we’ve done. It’s a testament to the athletes, teams, and fans who have supported us over the years. While we won’t be updating it with new content, we hope it continues to inspire and inform those who visit it.
Looking Back with Gratitude
As we close this chapter, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible people we’ve had the privilege to work with and write about. To the athletes who shared their stories, the teams who opened their doors, and the fans who followed and supported our work: Thank you. You’ve made this journey unforgettable!
We also want to thank our small but passionate team, whose dedication and hard work brought ProCycling Women to life. Your creativity, resilience, and belief in this project have been nothing short of inspiring.
The Road Ahead
While this is the end for ProCycling Women, the fight for recognition and equality in women’s cycling continues. The sport has come a long way, but there is still much work to be done. From improving race coverage to ensuring financial stability for smaller events, the challenges are clear. We hope that the voices we’ve amplified and the stories we’ve shared will contribute in some small way to the progress that’s needed.
As we reflect on our journey, we are reminded of a quote from Marianne Vos, who once said, “Cycling is about more than winning—it’s about pushing yourself, inspiring others, and finding joy in the ride.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates what we’ve tried to do at ProCycling Women.
Final Thoughts
ProCycling Women was born out of a love for the sport and a desire to make a difference. While we’re closing our doors, we leave with a sense of pride for what we’ve accomplished and hope for what’s to come. Women’s cycling is stronger today than it was when we started, and we’re honored to have played a small part in that progress.
As we say goodbye, we encourage everyone—fans, teams, sponsors, and media—to continue supporting women’s cycling. It’s a sport that deserves to thrive, and with collective effort, it will.
Thank you for believing in us and joining us on this journey. The road ahead is long, but it’s one worth traveling.
With gratitude and hope,
The ProCycling Women Team