The UCI has said that it will contribute a 10 per cent increase in prize money at women’s races between 2019 and 2022, with 50 per cent of the total prize money designated for the general classification in stages races from 2022, bringing it in line with men’s races. The announcement comes as the UCI unveiled further details of the major reforms to come in women’s cycling over the next four seasons, following its WorldTour seminar at the start of last month. The information laid out on the UCI’s website reiterated the progression of the minimum salary that will be introduced next year, the benefits to be included in the new contracts, the awarding of WorldTour licences, and race participation.ADVERTISEMENT As well as the increase in prize money, more riders will be able to earn it, with prizes available for 16th to 20th place in stage races. The UCI also announced that both UCI Women’s WorldTeams and Continental Teams will receive a participation allowance for WorldTour and ProSeries races. The introduction of a minimum salary was confirmed by the UCI over the summer and further details emerged in the subsequent months. In its press release, the sport's global governing body reaffirmed plans to have a minimum of €15,000 next season, with that to increase to €20,000 in 2021 and €27,500 by 2022. By 2023, the minimum salary is set to be brought in line with men’s Pro Continental teams. The UCI also revealed that a neo-pro status will be introduced for Women’s WorldTeams for the 2023 season. The introduction of a tiered system brings better contracts and additional benefits for the WorldTour riders. The introduction of maternity cover has already been announced and will be introduced in 2020, while a number of other benefits will be phased in between 2020 and 2022. Of those to come in immediately in 2020 are health insurance, hospitalisation and repatriation insurance, accident insurance and life insurance. Permanent invalidity insurance will be introduced in 2021, along with expenses not paid by social security. The last benefit to be introduced in 2022 will be a pension savings scheme. A new tiered system New race classification
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