Dutch race organisers have sounded the alarm over the sharp increase in federation fees for women’s cycling events, warning that the rising costs risk wiping out much of the country’s UCI calendar. In 2026, only five women’s races will take place in the Netherlands, and four of those will be tied to existing men’s events.
The Vereniging van Wedstrijdorganisatoren (VOW) and youth representative Cédric Louwers raised their concerns during the KNWU’s recent members’ council, pointing to what they called an “extreme increase” in the required federation payments for organisers. According to Louwers, the jump in costs makes it “almost impossible” to continue running standalone women’s UCI events in the Netherlands.
Escalating fees and shrinking calendars
The KNWU’s long-term goal is to bring women’s and men’s event fees into alignment within five years, arguing that it is a matter of equality. To achieve this, the federation began gradually narrowing the gap, with organisers of women’s races paying 30% of men’s rates in 2025, due to rise to 45% in 2026.
In practice, this has caused costs for women’s races to surge by as much as 133% compared to last year. Louwers, who also serves as race director for the Omloop der Kempen (1.1), said his event paid almost €1,000 more in 2025 than in 2024.
For smaller races operating on tight budgets, these increases could be the difference between survival and cancellation. “A women’s race still has less commercial value than a men’s race,” explained Louwers. “That makes finding sponsors difficult. You see the effect now – four of the five Dutch UCI women’s races next year will be paired with men’s events. Only [Omloop van] Borsele remains a standalone women’s race.”
Photo Credit: George Deswijzen“Financially, it just doesn’t add up”
The lack of sponsorship appeal is a persistent issue for organisers. “Sponsors are still less interested in women’s races, simply because the media exposure is smaller,” said Louwers. “Companies that do value inclusivity tend to support full weekend events that feature both men and women. That’s great, but it means running a women-only event is almost impossible unless it’s at WorldTour level, like the Simac Ladies Tour. Below that, financially, it just doesn’t add up.”
The financial pressure, he warned, could stifle development. “It’s vital to have more races at the lower UCI levels to strengthen the base of women’s cycling. These are the races where talented young riders get opportunities and experience. Without them, we narrow the pathway for the next generation.”
Photo Credit: Cor VosKNWU softens 2026 increase after pushback
After pressure from the VOW, the KNWU agreed last week to limit the 2026 increase to 15%, rather than the planned jump to 45%. While this concession provides some short-term relief, the federation still intends to bring fees for men’s and women’s races into line within a few years.
For Louwers, the change doesn’t address the deeper problem. “The KNWU seems to be chasing equality on paper rather than equality in opportunity,” he said. “It would make more sense to strengthen women’s racing commercially first – help it grow, attract sponsors, and build visibility. Once that’s achieved, then you can justify higher fees. Doing it the other way around – charging more first and hoping it gets better later – just isn’t a sustainable plan.”
With organisers stretched and only five UCI women’s races confirmed for 2026, the once-thriving Dutch calendar has been reduced to a worrying minimum. For a country that has produced generations of world-class riders and has long been seen as the heartland of women’s cycling, that decline is as symbolic as it is alarming.
