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What is the minimum salary in pro cycling?
The minimum salary is the lowest annual salary a team must pay a rider under UCI rules. Minimums apply only to the top tiers and differ by team level, rider status and whether the rider is employed or self-employed.
In the men's WorldTour, the minimums for 2026 were reported at €44,150 gross for an employed rider and €35,721 for an employed neo-pro, with the levels frozen from 2025. Self-employed riders have higher minimums, to reflect the costs they carry themselves.
In women's cycling, the UCI minimums for 2026 are €38,000 for an employed rider in a Women's WorldTeam (€31,768 for a neo-pro) and €22,000 in a Women's ProTeam (€18,392 for a neo-pro). The Women's ProTeam minimum rises to €24,000 in 2027.
The UCI sets no minimum salary for Continental teams. That is why many riders at that level are unpaid or receive only expenses. In The Cyclists' Alliance 2026 survey, 75% of women's Continental respondents said they received no team salary.
On howtoturnpro.com our salary model starts from these minimums for the lowest pay bands. Figures are reported in euros and are gross amounts, before tax and social contributions.
Minimums are set in the UCI regulations and can change from year to year, so always check the season the figure refers to.