Novolodskaya: “Why compare prices with men’s cycling? They have more sponsors and the races are more difficult.

Olympic medalist in track cycling Maria Novolodskaya believes that it is pointless to compare prices between men’s and women’s professional cycling, as there is a big difference in the difficulty of routes and sponsorship.

Novolodskaya interrupted her career due to pregnancy.

— Women’s cycling is difficult, but not very profitable in terms of money compared to the men’s World Tour fares. How do you feel about this?

– Why compare us? There the loads are different, there are more sponsors and the men’s races are much more difficult. In women’s cycling there are a number of strong riders, between whom the podium is mainly played out. Among men, the competition is much higher. I understand the story with equal fees, but the level is still different in men’s races. And in life, I don’t mind being, as they say, “the weaker sex.”

– The weaker sex? You are the eldest sister of twelve children and you only went to school when the kettle was boiling.

“That’s why I want to be the weaker sex, I dream of it.” There were always additional responsibilities, both at home and in sports. It’s also difficult.