2025 Ranking: The 10 Highest-Paid Cyclists — You won’t believe who’s on top
The world of professional cycling has never been so lucrative. As of 2025, several riders have cracked the seven- to eight-figure salary barrier when you combine base pay, bonuses, brand deals, and performance incentives. Behind sensational performances on the road lies an elite “cycling 1%.” Here’s an inside look at the 10 highest-paid cyclists globally — and why the top spot might shock you.
Top 10 — The Big Earners
Based on multiple 2025 salary reports, estimates, and contract disclosures, the top-earning riders are:
Rank Rider Estimated Annual Earnings*
1 Tadej Pogačar €8–12 million
2 Remco Evenepoel ~€5–6.6 million (rising with new contract)
3 Jonas Vingegaard ~€5 million
4 Mathieu van der Poel ~€4 million
5 Wout van Aert ~€4 million (or ~€3.5M depending on report)
6 Primož Roglič ~€4–4.5 million
7 Tom Pidcock ~€2.7 million
8 Adam Yates ~€2.7 million
9 Egan Bernal ~€2.5 million
10 Carlos Rodríguez ~€2.5 million
* Figures combine base salary, bonuses, and — in many cases — sponsorship and endorsement income.
Why These Riders Make So Much
– Performance and pedigree: The riders at the very top — Pogačar, Evenepoel, Vingegaard, van der Poel, Van Aert — have not only won Grand Tours, World Championships, or major Classics, but they consistently deliver results across seasons, making them invaluable to teams.
– Star power and branding: For instance, Pogačar’s deals with sponsors, merchandising, appearance fees and performance bonuses push his total income to — by some estimates — €12 million a year. Evenepoel’s recent contract bump places him among the sport’s elite earners, especially after a high-profile switch of teams.
– Versatility and discipline crossover: Riders like van der Poel and Van Aert bring value beyond road racing — excelling in cyclo-cross, one-day Classics, and other disciplines, boosting their marketability and income potential.
– Big team investment: Teams with deep budgets are willing to pay top dollar to secure these talents. As WorldTour team budgets swell, the gap between top riders and peloton average widens.
Peaks — Performance, Pay, and Prestige
At the summit stands Tadej Pogačar, whose dominance on the road has translated into a payday unmatched by any of his peers. His blend of Grand Tour wins, consistent podiums, global appeal and surefire sponsorship draw make him the clear #1 — not just in performance, but in fortune and influence.
Hot on his heels is Remco Evenepoel, a younger phenom whose new contract has shaken up the hierarchy. With his mixture of youth, results, and charisma, he represents a new generation of cycling royalty.
Then you have fighters like Jonas Vingegaard, former Champions and two-time Tour winners, or versatile stars like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert — who earn serious money thanks to their ability to perform across multiple disciplines and terrain.
Bigger Picture: Cycling in the Money Era
While the global average of a WorldTour rider’s salary remains far lower (often in the hundreds of thousands of euros per year), the top 1% now earn multiple millions — rivaling incomes in far more lucrative sports.
This upswing comes as cycling becomes more commercial: bigger race budgets, more media coverage, global brand sponsorships — all feeding into how much star athletes can earn. The gap between elite super-stars and domestiques is widening fast.
Final Thoughts — Not Just Who Wins, But Who Sells
The 2025 rankings show that in pro cycling, success is measured in more than just yellow jerseys, polka dots, or Grand Tour titles. It’s also measured in contracts, brand deals, visibility, and long-term financial security. What the top 10 list reveals is that the modern sport rewards not just cyclists who win — but those who win and sell.
And in that regard, the man on top — Tadej Pogačar — is not only a champion on asphalt; he’s a champion of the business of cycling.
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