Superweek announced that equal prize money will be paid to the top three men’s and women’s podium finishers at all nine races in this year’s series.
Additionally, the overall prize money for series is up $10,000 to $120,000 from last year.
Montreal’s Lex Albrecht, who is a member of the TWENTY16 Pro Cycling Team and the defending women’s champion of the Delta criterium and the Tour de White Rock, finished first in the hill climb and was second in the road race at the Tour de White Rock in 2013.
Albrecht sees the advent of equal prize money at this year’s series as huge for women’s cycling.
“Inequality between men’s and women’s cycling is a hot button issue these days. In most cases, the gap between prize money offered to men and women is exceptionally, and unjustly significant,” Albrecht said in a press release.
The decision to offer equal prize money to both men and women by Superweek is to assist in elevating the sport, event when looking to surpass the minimum requirements set by minimum UCI requirements.
“BC Superweek organizers have stepped up to offer equal prize money to the top-three finishers of both fields, showing their support for gender equality - which is important not only in professional bike racing, but in all aspects of life,” Albrecht added. “I'm proud to see such a great event like this at home in Canada.”
Superweek race director Mark Ernsting says every race during the series is proud to be a part of promoting equality for men and women in cycling.
“Equality in the sport is very important for us to foster,” said Ernsting in the release. “We couldn’t ignore the increase in women’s participation and quality of performance over the last two seasons – and equal prize money to the top three men’s and women’s podium finishers is a great step to continue to recognize the growth of women’s cycling.”
In addition to the $120,000 in prize money, each of the nine races features thousands more in crowd primes available to the riders.
“As the B.C. Superweek series continues to grow, we will continue to enhance the race experience for the athletes, spectators and sponsors,” Ernsting said.
Online registration is available on the new Superweek website, with early registration discounts in effect until June 6. Discounts are also available to riders entered in all stages, and teams that sign up six riders for the entire series can register an additional three riders at no cost.
Superweek runs from July 4 to 13, and is made up of the Tour de Delta (July 4, 5, 6), UBC Grand Prix (July 8), the Gastown Grand Prix (July 9), Giro di Burnaby (July 10) and the Tour de White Rock (July 11, 12, 13). For more information, visit www.bcsuperweek.ca.
