Jos Roden praised Uno-Ex's approach to maternity leave and its approach to family, having stepped up to the World Tour in 2002 and looking to the future both on and off the bike.

The 34-year-old Lowden said that having a family was part of her consideration of when to end her racing career, and that the additional assurances from Uno-Ex influenced her views.

"I don't think I ever thought about retiring," she said. 'I was just aware that I had a few more years to go before I could start a family. So I think those topics were just in the back of my mind."

"Then a team like Uno X came along. Uno X has really strong family values and treats us like human beings. I knew that if I wanted to have a family, and in the future, what kind of life I could lead while continuing to compete in cycling, Uno X could help me do that."

Roden stressed that even if having children is not in her immediate plans, what is important to her is the assurance of support.

"It's certainly not something that's on my mind at the moment, but it's nice to know that if something comes up in the future, I'll have that support."

Uno-X has demonstrated its commitment to supporting riders through motherhood by granting Elinor Barker maternity leave.

"So we have Elinor who is currently pregnant, and the support for her has been really positive," Roden said.

Barker discovered she was pregnant during contract negotiations, but was offered the same contract as before; the UCI mandates that riders are entitled to three months of maternity benefits at 100 percent of their salary and another five months at 50 percent. However, Barker confirmed that she will be paid the same as she is riding, and the team expects her to return as soon as she is ready.

Roden, a continental rider for Drops Le Corre, was not guaranteed maternity benefits.

"I hope that changes, though," she said.

The UCI maternity provisions will only be introduced in 2020, and returning to cycling after having a family is relatively rare in the women's peloton. Roden is encouraged by the few who have made it, including Marta Bastianelli and Lizzie Deignan.

"One of the people who made me believe that this was actually possible was Lizzie Deignan. [She is] a wonderful mother and a great cyclist. She clearly has the support of Trek. The more teams that do this, the better it is for women's cycling."