Without question, we need to see more riders like this get support to better grow cycling. It’s not easy being anywhere close to this level much less making a “sustainable” living at it. Now factor in how many fewer females we see at this level and how the difference in earned income makes it virtually impossible that much harder.
Watch this athlete highlight on Casey Brown from Telus and be sure to share it with any of your friends & family, (especially any female groms), and check out another video from Shimano after the break……
Casey Brown has every bit of talent and works as hard as any of the top riders on the World Cup circuit despite probably getting paid a fraction in prize money and sponsorship compared to her male peers. Female cyclists actually make up almost 50% of total cyclists in the US, and most find that surprising because we only see measure what big companies and competitions are marketing through sponsored pro athletes. There has been a movement with some steam to change that by equaling prize money given at competitions. Even the UCI stepped it up for 2016 vastly increasing not only the number of women’s World Tour races, but the live television coverage as well! There have even been podium dude sightings at events…. just to make a point of where things need to transition.
Check out the above video from Telus, then hover down for another inspirational edit from the Shimano archives of Casey and former pro downhiller (that is currently inspiring and teaching other’s to ride), Micayla Gatto to get a glimpse of their daily life as a pro athlete and why these people rock!
