Like many other sports, professional cycling is no longer simply about the sweat, honour and glory of winning. In 2025, it's also big business and money plays a huge factor in determining success. From multimillion-euro contracts to lucrative brand endorsements, today’s top riders are not only athletes - they’re also high-earning global celebrities who need to juggle multiple income streams.
The average career of a pro cyclist is relatively short - around 10 years - so the pressure to earn as much as possible in that time is understandable. And the top teams are constantly on the lookout to sign the top talent and will offer big money for the best. For both riders and teams, talent = trophies = more sponsorship. It's a self-feeding machine.
So let's take a look inside the financial engine driving professional cycling and dive into the world of the highest paid cyclists 2025 to discover who’s earning the big bucks - and how.
1. The business of being a pro cyclist
Cycling has come a long way from its grassroots origins. Although it has has some minor struggles in the last few years, it's now a firmly established global business. Television, internet and sponsorship have transformed it. Netflix's Tour de France: Unchained series, although now sadly cancelled, brought cycling to a whole new international audience. With global fan bases, and tech-driven engagement (yes, apps like ROUVY included!), the sport has become a commercial powerhouse.
Today’s top riders earn millions not just from racing, but from sponsorship deals, appearance fees, and increasingly - social media. But unlike footballers or tennis stars, most pro cyclists don’t have guaranteed global fame or centralized prize pools. Their professional cyclist income is a blend of salary, winnings, and hustle.
2. Top 10 highest paid cyclists in 2025 (with estimates)
Here’s the list everyone wants to see. Based on public reports, insider estimates, and contract rumours, these are the current top 10 highest paid cyclists in 2025:
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) – €7 million/year
The Slovenian star continues to dominate on and off the bike, with race wins, charisma, and a global following.
- Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) – €6.5 million/year
Back-to-back Tour wins and an icy-cool image make Vingegaard a sponsor favourite.
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step) – €5.5 million/year
Belgium’s golden boy mixes time-trial dominance with marketability and youth appeal.
- Primož Roglič (BORA–hansgrohe) – €4.5 million/year
His recent move from Jumbo-Visma earned him a huge salary hike.
- Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) – €4 million/year
With world titles across disciplines, Van der Poel's versatility makes him a branding machine.
- Wout van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike) – €4 million/year
A Swiss army knife of talent - mountains, sprints, time trials - he has it all.
- Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) – €3.5 million/year
The Brit is a cross-discipline star with Olympic gold and Tour stage wins.
- Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers) – €2.8 million/year
Despite injury setbacks, his 2019 Tour win still boosted his cyclist net worth and profile.
- Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal–Quick-Step) – €2.5 million/year
A fan-favourite with style and flair.
- Peter Sagan (Retired/Uno-X guest appearances) – €2 million/year (in endorsements)
Though semi-retired from road racing, Sagan remains a top earner through lifestyle branding.
3. Where does a pro cyclist’s income come from?
Teams don't publicly reveal the exact details of the various ways that their riders earn money and the breakdown varies from team to team - so getting an exact number is difficult. But in general, the average salary of the highest paid cyclists is a made up from a combination of:
Team contracts
- WorldTour riders typically earn anywhere from €200,000 to €6 million annually.
- ProTeam (second-tier) contracts are much lower—some riders earn under €100,000.
- Star riders negotiate multi-year deals, often with performance bonuses and image rights. A recent bold trend has seen teams offering lifetime contracts to riders such as Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen.
Endorsements and brand deals
- While most teams have deals with brands for their riders, many cyclists also have personal deals with clothing and gear brands.
- Social media following and national appeal play a massive role in this income stream. This is where media-savvy cyclists supported by a strong media team really have an advantage. The richest cyclists are the ones who understand this new landscape and embrace it.
Prize money
- While often headline-grabbing, prize earnings are rarely the main earner.
- Most of it is split among the whole team—including domestiques, mechanics, and directors.
Appearance Fees and Media
- High-profile riders can earn fees for showing up at post-Tour criteriums, charity events, or live streams.
