Siam Spencer, edited by Gauthier Delomez
modified to
11:03 p.m., April 12, 2022
The winner of the women’s Paris-Roubaix event, which takes place this weekend, will leave with a check for 20,000 euros, against 1,535 euros last year. If this premium remains lower than that of the male winner (30,000 euros), the race manager explains on Europe 1 that this revaluation was possible thanks to the success of the first edition.
Gender equality is making its way to Paris-Roubaix. The organizers of the cycling event have announced that the winner of the women’s event will leave on Saturday with a check for 20,000 euros, against 1,535 euros during the first edition last year. It is certainly still below the 30,000 euros promised to the male winner, but it is a major step forward for Franck Perque, head of Paris-Roubaix women.
An upgrade thanks to the success of the first edition
At the microphone of Europe 1, the latter indicates that this revaluation is possible thanks to the success of the first edition, at the beginning of last October. “There were a lot of responses. In terms of viewers, we are at 1.8 million peak. Behind, you can potentially interest sponsors,” explains the head of the women’s event. “There is an economy that is taking hold, and from year to year, we will be able to improve,” says Franck Perque.
The former professional cyclist looks back on the beginnings of the women’s race, marked by a financial reward far below that of the men’s race. “We are on an investment, we are watching how it goes, if it works. This was the case with the 2021 edition, which was a great success. The sponsors came, the viewers hooked, and so we can improve things”, details the manager of Paris-Roubaix, adding that economically, the organizers will be able “to gradually arrive at having an equal level (of reward). That is the objective.”