Lotte Kopecky: Women's cycling won't grow without minimum salaries

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) in pursuit on the Muur van Geraardsbergen/Kapelmuur in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2022
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) in pursuit on the Muur van Geraardsbergen/Kapelmuur in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2022 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) is only 27 but has been in the elite peloton since her first year out of the junior ranks and has risen along with women's professional cycling amid drastic improvements over the past decade. Speaking ahead of the opening Spring Classic, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Kopecky spoke in favour of the UCI-imposed minimum salaries for women.

"They need to be [in place] because otherwise, women's cycling will not grow," Kopecky said, adding that riders need to be able to live from pro cycling and not have to work at the same time, "because then there will always be this big gap."

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Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura's specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.