Sometimes, it is easy to forget that the core business of cycling is humans. Imperfect humans. Those who make mistakes, have ill health, need sleep, have feelings, and laugh on occasion. Yet, there is a weighty expectation by those around the sport to be a certain way, and that is down to looks and action. There is a demand that the rider completes ‘x’ amount of race days with ‘y’ amount of panache. If there is something off about the delivery, the fan base is quick to jump on it. Heavy is the crown of expectation.
Take Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), for example. The Belgian cyclist, and World Champion, has been copping huge amounts of heat from the media and fans. The vast majority of comments say she has been having a lacklustre year. A lacklustre year?! The World Champion, in the rainbow bands, won the Tour of Flanders earlier this year. She has been instrumental in the winning ways of teammate Lorena Wiebes, including at Milan-San Remo Donne. Sure, there we saw less of Kopecky on the top step of every race she lined up for, but by any other measure, the 29-year-old had an exceptional year.
Similarly, Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) has not escaped critique after her second place at the latest edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. There was difficulty finding an article that didn’t discuss her weight and decision not to approach the race like the victor, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike). It was all the fans and news outlets clung to. Yet, they seemed to gloss over the fact that she rose from a horrific crash in stage 3 to fight for six more days, right to the end.
The sport is cruel.
Now, more than ever, the Cyclists' Alliance (TCA) is needed. TCA is an independent advocacy body for female cyclists. They are not funded or an adjunct of the UCI. Instead, they are purely existing for the benefit of the riders. Riders pay a membership fee to join the union, and get access to resources such as legal support, health support, career guidance and the knowledge of the lack of financial support in the peloton. TCA was co-founded by Iris Slappendel, a former professional cyclist, alongside many contemporaries, including Gracie Elvin. TCA is now led by former professional cyclist, Olympic champion and World Champion, Grace Brown. Brown is carrying on Slappendel’s legacy, ensuring they are at the forefront of the latest fight for rider welfare. Currently, the focus is on rider health.
Did we do a good job with this story?
