(L-R) Katherine Hosking, Luca Turton, Alanna van de Hoef and Talia Simpson debrief after round 1 of the 2024 AusCycling Cyclocross National Series in Adelaide.
Photo: CX Down Under

One of the many great things about the sport of cyclocross is its gender diversity - as the State of Australian Cyclocross series showed that in 2019 women made up around 25% of participants in cyclocross around Australia.

While this is a higher rate of female participation than other cycling disciplines such as mountain biking or road cycling, there’s still work to be done to strive for gender equality in the sport of cyclocross, especially as it pertains to racing in Australia and New Zealand.

With that in mind, we created a survey to gain feedback on the current state of gender equality in the state of cyclocross, just in time for International Women’s Day 2025. Thanks to all those who responded. Please note that there are different levels of privacy for different respondents, each according to their wishes.

The answers are below - we hope you find them insightful.

What obstacles (if any) have you encountered that prevented/delayed your entry into the sport of cyclocross?

Running is my primary sport so sometimes there is a clash. Or my husband races at a higher level so let him take the lead sometimes.
T.M., Perth

Short season, clashes with other events.
Emily, Sydney.

I didn't have the right bike and no money to spend buying one. I still don't have the right bike, but I make do with a heavy steel gravel bike that I use for other purposes lol.
Fox, Christchurch.

Women’s only grade, lack of CX racing in regional areas
Anonymous, Australia.

Melburn Durt teammates Jackie Manders (L) and Meghan Thomas (R) were all smiles after the opening round of the 2023 Victorian State CX Championships.
Photo: CX Down Under

What's the best thing you've seen an organiser or fellow racer do to promote gender equality in cyclocross Down Under? How did that make you feel?

Have an MC that knew the riders and could commentate the race. Huge difference because it signals that women who race CX are interesting and have interesting backgrounds too.
Anonymous, Australia.

Seperate women’s grades I believe help with confidence. I also think making the decision and sticking to it (not asking half the field to change who they are racing with at the last minute) In terms of fellow racers the kindness and assistance in course, cheering for one another even as competitors makes it feel fun and welcoming.
F., Australia.

1) The Women's field itself is an incredibly supportive one. The racers themselves build a culture of kindness and encouragement.
2) Community group Melburn Durt ran an intro to CX session which was a great way to bring people into the sport and make their first race less intimidating.
Anonymous, Melbourne.

WACX has a ladies day event every year!
T.M., Perth.

Women only races in the NSW series last year was excellent!
Emily, Sydney.

The team at SouthernCross CX make everyone feel welcome and encouraged, no matter your age, ability, gender, or otherwise. I feel comfortable being me and have such a great time every race day and social event.
Fox, Christchurch.

It was definitely cyclocross weather during the women’s races at the 2023 New Zealand National CX Championships in Christchurch.
Photo: @blissfieldphoto

What's the biggest setback or worst piece of behaviour (related to gender) you've encountered in your time riding or racing cyclocross? How did that make you feel?

Being bulldozed by men/told to get out of the way while on course. We all pay the same entry fee so why do they have more right to be on course? This is why womens only races are such a game changer.
Emily, Sydney.

An MC commenting on my track racing record, which was false, to explain why I wasn’t in the lead. Comments that are passively patronising such as referring to us as girls.
Anonymous, Australia.

Not everyone knows I'm non-binary. I think it's pretty obvious that I'm genderqueer as well as general queer lol. I don't take hormones. I haven't had top surgery yet. I hope that when I do have surgery people won't judge me any differently or think I'm in the wrong category. There isn't a non-binary category (as far as I know), but I know that MTBNZ has created that category so it won't be long before we have that in CX too. Then I might consider starting T [testostorone treatment] and racing as trans masculine. My main discipline is track, which doesn't have a non-binary category either, so I'm forced to choose between binaries, which sucks.
I'm scared to transition and start racing against men who have had T in their system since puberty (I'm 38). So I haven't had bad behaviour targeted towards my gender (perhaps some towards my not being as fast as the men, in mixed-category races though, such as dodgy overtaking), but things could always be better for trans and non-binary folx.
Competitive sport is such a binary thing, sadly. I'd love to see that change.
Fox, Christchurch.

It was frustrating to see the Women's masters race on the Sunday of [Ballarat] CX cut down in time. The women paid the same amount to enter, but were seen as the most expendable.
Anonymous, Melbourne.

I have had a number of commissaires dismiss my questions and comments (roll their eyes at me, huff and puff about things) yet have seen them respectfully speak to my male counterparts about the exact same things! It’s frustrating and upsetting especially when you’re trying to focus on racing but your not being heard and you’re being diminished.
F., Australia

Luckily, I've not seen or experienced any. But that doesn't mean it isn't happening.
T.M., Perth

The Elite Women’s podium squeezes into the photo at Round 1 of the 2024 AusCycling CX National Series.
Photo: CX Down Under

What changes (if any) would you like to see event organisers make to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?

Extra promotion to encourage women to participate. Women are generally way less confident and need extra encouragement, if they haven’t done something before. Come and Try days or grades really help this in my experience, with experienced ladies on site to help. Putting women’s races on after men - the subconscious signal is that the best is saved til last.
Anonymous, Australia.

Needs to be more effort put into keeping girls in the sport. How do we keep young girls from aging out. That's a tricky one and not just for event organisers, but for AC [AusCycling].
T.M., Perth.

Free entry for first timers, ensure photographers covering events are taking photos of all races equally, not just focussing on fast men. Makes you feel left out if you're scrolling through pictures and there's none of you - and it can inspire other average women to take part if they see themselves represented in photos.
Emily, Sydney.

We need more women, girls, non-binary, and trans folx racing and organising races. There needs to be consideration given to these minority genders - what are the barriers? Does racing with men (e.g. A grade separated from B grade, but combined men/women/non-binary in each grade) intimidate riders in these minority groups?
Fox, Christchurch.

Don't cut time from women's grades. If an event is running behind and times need to be shortened, it should be spread across all remaining grades, or there should at least be consultation with riders. Women are not second class racers. They pay the same amount and deserve to race the time that was advertised.
Anonymous, Melbourne.

Having come and try sessions that are free, shorter “races” and perhaps early - so people who are not confident don’t have to make a big commitment to trying it for the first time, and don’t feel like they are being “watched” if it’s earlier) would also be cool to have that hosted with some people who can provide pointers and encouragement.
F., Australia.

Aussie champion Bec Locke leads Miranda Griffiths over the barriers at round 2 of the 2023 AusCycling CX National Series in Adelaide.
Photo: CX Down Under

What changes (if any) would you like to see men (male riders and racers specifically) make to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?

Speak up when you see women's grades or women/gender diverse riders being disrespected.
Anonymous, Melbourne.

The #1 rule is "don't be a dick" but some male riders don't seem to know what this means and do dodgy overtaking during races. Give us some space, or get the organisers to separate the fields.
Fox, Christchurch.

Recognise that everyone has a right to be on the course, offer encouragement (which women so frequently give to other women on course, but i've never been encouraged by a man on course). Don't do practice laps while women are racing.
Emily, Sydney.

In the unusual circumstances that men and women are racing together (it does happen in QLD sometimes!) that certain men (usually those not winning or at the pointy end) show respect to women and don’t assume they have preference. Generally they are great, but sometimes they are not.
F., Australia.

Sharing social media posts that include women. Being okay not being the last grade to race 😉
Anonymous, Australia.

Tamaryn Stevens is all smiles as she tackles the course at the 2023 AusCycling CX National Championships.
Photo: @shotbyleealexand3r

What's something small we can all do to improve gender equality in cyclocross Down Under?

Extra promotion on socials for women’s racing. Heaps of encouragement and explanation about what will happen on the day and what to expect. Encourage the social aspect as well.
Anonymous, Australia.

Allow non-binary and trans riders to race in a category that they feel comfortable in. We are not trying to cheat. Give women, girls, trans, and non-binar folx space while racing.
Fox, Christchurch.

Being extra friendly when you see a new face - we all know each other… so we know when someone is new. Show they are welcome. Cheer for them. Congratulate them.
F., Australia.

Offer encouragement while racing, encourage first timers to race
Emily, Sydney.

The combined women’s A, B and C grade fields gather for a post-race photo opportunity at a 2018 round of the Victorian cyclocross series at Mt Beauty.
Photo: CX Down Under

In your mind, what will be the biggest sign that cyclocross Down Under has achieved gender equality?

Better race numbers. Better commentary about women racers for all grades.
Anonymous, Australia.

When all women's grades are given separate race times because the fields are that big!
Anonymous, Melbourne.

I’m not sure. You could say when the numbers of entries are equal, but I’m not sure that is a fair metric .
F., Australia.

Large competitive fields in womens grades.
Emily, Sydney.

The equal levels of promotion of male and female races and riders.
T.M., Perth.

Tilly Field lays down the power during the opening race weekend of the 2023 AusCycling National CX Series in Adelaide.
Photo: CX Down Under

Any additional comments?

More regional racing, not just city-based. Canberra and St Ives is not regional.
Anonymous, Australia.

So many in the community do a wonderful job at creating a safe, fun, supportive environment. Always important to recognise the positives!
Anonymous, Melbourne.

Thanks for doing this survey and including non-binary and trans folx too.
Fox, Christchurch.

CX Down Under - International Women’s Day Survey 2025: Your Feedback