Women's cycling - major sponsor pulls out as policies are not 'trans inclusive'

[Xoxoxoxoxoxox]

Helen joice has just put this up on twitter.
A new major sponsor is being sought to ensure that the 6th Women’s CiCLE Classic and 8th Junior Men’s edition of the race can go ahead as planned, following the decision of longstanding sponsor Pete Stanton to withdraw his sponsorship of the races...due to the decision to not include trans atheletes.

• A man tries to use his money to force women to accept transwomen in women's races.

I hadn't thought about the trans activism behind sponsorships deals that fund women's sport that must go on behind the scenes but here is an example laid bare. The men's races are not under threat just the women's races of course.

www.velouk.net/2022/04/12/news-sponsors-needed-for-womens-junior-cicle-classic/.

It's always worth reminding everybody of this:
due to the decision to not include trans athletes

'Trans athletes' are included.
In their own sex class.
Same as everybody else.

Also happy to help crowdfund this.

Isn't mens cycling equally none inclusive / how many trans cyclists in the male team ?

I will absolutely put into the crowdfund for this if someone sets one up.

I will donate!!

due to the decision to not include trans athletes

But this isn't true. It is due to the decision not to allow men (males) to race with females. I haven't heard any suggestion that transmen (ie women) should be excluded unless they are taking testosterone. It is about men, just men.

@DoubleTweenQueen

Isn't this blackmail? Surely you sponsor the event because you're committed to women's sport?

Has this person now also tarnished the idea of other corporates/individuals sponsoring women's sport?

Shows how deep the pit goes wrt undue influence of TRAs.

Dispicable.

Blackmail is an ugly word!

That £15k was bad money. Obviously being paid to exert control and turn women's sport into something other than women's sport.

It reminds me of the Women's Equality Party, similarly being held to ransom by a donor.

Another one happy to crowdfund for a few years until a new sponsor is found.
We've moved on from gas lighting to financial coercion... so not on.

It’s not just sponsorship - the gap between male and female prize money is shocking.

At last year’s Paris-Roubaix the winner of the men’s race was awarded €30,000. The winner of the first ever women’s P-R, Lizzie Deignan, was awarded €1,535. Prior to last year there was no women’s P-R because the menz thought it was “too hard”. In the end Lizzie made a break for it early and solo’d home for the next 50 miles. Her bike sponsor, Trek, made up the difference to €30k.

Women should not be second class citizens in sport. I’d definitely donate to a crowd fund.

Considering Emily was included in the male competition just last month and doing incredibly well I’d say cycling is very inclusive. What’s this thy’s problem?

Happy to donate - I reckon we'd have 15k in a day easily.

(Especially with all that right-wing funding we all get from the U.S.)

@Trampitt Well, it's an ugly device, yes. It's a political move to decide to pull sponsorship for this reason. Clearly not committed to women's sport unless under certain circumstances, which undermine women's sport.

Female cyclists are some of the coolest athletes out there. As mentioned above by ChamoisPad last year was the first ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes.

Here's a short film of some awesome women being awesome:

I would so dig for that. Fuck him.

What jumped out to me is there have been 8 men's races but only 6 women's races, but it seems that that is too much for some. Male supremacy, but make it woke.

Looks like FPFW might be planning something. It would be great if something like this could be sponsored by a women’s group.

Someone should match them up with Egard Watches! They'd be a good potential sponsor and are clearly ready to take flak.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4528757-What-is-a-Woman-Advert-The-tide-is-truly-turning

Sorry @trampitt but had to post...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=qBzEQlX1gCA

Sponsored by vipers has a lovely ring to it.
I'm in.

If FPFW organised sponsorship does that mean the event will be emblazoned with women's rights messages?

Maybe just green white and violet colours with no messaging.

If the event ends up emblazoned with Fair Play For Women messages that will be another own goal. Stuff their money. Happy to flush out the abusive sponsors.

@Rodedooda

If FPFW organised sponsorship does that mean the event will be emblazoned with women's rights messages?

That’s what I was wondering. Cyclists with FPFW across their clothing. Would be perfect.

I would absolutely donate to this.