Eneco Tour equalizes prize money for men and women

When establishing their partnership, Eneco and the organisers agreed to focus on innovation, sustainability and inclusion. Bringing the women’s and men’s races together in one event is an important part of that commitment, as is giving both races equal prominence.

Both parties therefore planned to equalise prize money over the coming years.

When setting the original prize money, the organisers followed the applicable scales prescribed by the international cycling federation, the UCI, for the categories of the two races. These scales specify different amounts for men and women.

Charlotte Kool’s social media post highlighted that the debate about equal prize money in cycling was even more urgent than we had already thought. This prompted both parties to accelerate their plans. Eneco and the organisers have now jointly decided to increase the women’s prize money to the same level as the men’s.

Race Director Roxane Knetemann: “We organise the women’s and men’s races together and want to give both the same attention. The same performance deserves the same platform. That is why we already ensure that all teams receive a fair contribution towards their expenses to compete here, which is not standard practice at every race. Equal prize money belongs alongside that. It is good that, together with Eneco, we can make this happen at this edition.”

“This is a class act. I’m really happy that they have responded this way and are putting it into effect immediately,” said Fenix Premier Tech rider Charlotte Kool. “It shows that the Eneco Tour truly values the women just as much as the men.”