It’s one of the most gruelling sports there is, but if you manage to become one of the world’s top cyclists then you’ll not be worried about paying the monthly gas bill.
While the prize money on offer doesn’t match the likes of tennis or golf there’s still over £420, 000 available to the winner of the Tour de France each year.
Add in money-spinning advertising and sponsorship deals, personal appearances and shrewd investments, and these road racing heroes can become fabulously wealthy.
Here are the top 10 richest cyclists in the world in 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth.
5. Jan Ullrich
In 1997 Jan Ullrich became the first German to win the Tour de France, leading to a cycling boom in his homeland. Other titles in a glittering career included gold and silver medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 1999 Vuelta a España. In 2012 he was found guilty of doping and was retroactively banned from August 2011, with all results since May 2005 voided. He later admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. Despite this, he's worth around $20 million. | Getty Images
6. Eddy Merckx
Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx is quite simply the most successful rider in the history of his sport - winning five Tours de France, five Giros d'Italia, a Vuelta a España, all five Monuments, three World Championships, and every major one-day race other than Paris–Tours. Never suspected of cheating, it seems slightly unfair that he's 'only' worth around $20 million. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Alberto Contador
Spain's Alberto Contador is another cyclist who has won all three Grand Tours at least once and only the second to win all three twice - triumphing in two Tours de France two Giros d'Italia and three Vueltas a España three times. He has also won the Vélo d'Or a record four times and, while suspected, has never been found guilty of doping. His success has earned him an estimated £17 million. | Getty Images
8. Chris Froome
British cyclist Chris Froome has seven Grand Tours to his name - four Tours de France, one Giro d'Italia and two Vueltas a España. The three-time Vélo d'Or win also has two bronze Olympic medals to his name - and a net worth of approximately $12 million. | Getty Images