The French Cycling Federation has been hit with criticism after they elected to fly their men to the Cycling World Championships in Australia in business class while their women travelled in economy.
The federation has come out in defence of its decision after facing flak in France, including accusations of sexism and favouritism. Christophe Manin, French cycling’s national director, said that the decision had been based on financial reasons and he too had opted not to make the trip to Wollongong in an effort to save money.
He also went on to say that the men had a better chance of winning than their women’s team and that had also played a part in the decision.
"Some countries, like Ireland, have decided not to participate in the World Championships," he told AFP. "We asked ourselves if we should take all the categories, especially the juniors. We did it. But we don't have the means to put everyone in business.
"For the men, we've been world champions for the last two years. We are really going there to win, while we are more of an outsider in the girls' competition.
"If we had the mountain bike world championships in Australia with the same economic choice to make, we would put the two girls in business and the boys in economy", he added, referring to Pauline Ferrand-Prevot - a four-time cross country world champion - and European champion Loana Lecomte.
Many competitors across cycling have faced financial hurdles in order to get to the championships in Australia, and federations have also had to navigate the financial burden. As alluded to by Manin in his comments, Cycling Ireland had previously said they would not be sending a team as it would stretch their resources too far.
One of the pre-race favourites, Wout van Aert, has also said this week that he paid €8,000 from his own pocket to fly first class to Australia, while the rest of his Belgian teammates were in economy.
A spokesperson for the French Cycling Federation also made the same argument in a statement to the newspaper Ouest France, saying: “It was a choice of the Technical Direction and the French Cycling Federation. A confirmed choice.
“Everyone travelled in economy class, apart from the elite men. Why did we do that? Because the men are going to defend their title this year, once again. And above all because economic choices had to be made.
“The journey being very long, it costs an enormous amount, and if we wanted to take everyone, we needed to make choices. And if everyone were to be in business, many people would have had to stay at home.”
Team manager Thomas Voeckler, who travelled in economy, told AFP: "I am concentrating on the sport and I have no energy to lose as long as the riders of the French team are proud to wear the colours of the jersey."
In total nine members of France’s men's team, including two-time defending world champion Julian Alaphilippe, travelled in business. The rest of the travelling group, including seven women riders, male and female riders in the junior events and the support staff, were in economy.
