The decision to equalize prize money for men's and women's Danilit Nokélé Core races in 2022 has sparked a debate about the best way to improve women's racing. Thomas van den Spiegel, CEO of the Flanders Classic, has suggested that the move is a symbolic act by the Belgian one-day race to secure its place on the Women's World Tour in 2023.

Van den Spiegel believes that prize money parity is only the third strategic option after improved broadcasting, increased exposure to sponsors, and increased start money for all teams to cover operating costs.

The Flanders Classic hosts most of the major one-day races in Belgium, including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Ghent-Wevelgem, and the Tour of Flanders, often pushing out smaller rivals. They have added a women's race alongside the leading men's event and have developed a multi-year strategic business plan for women's cycling called "Close The Gap" with their advisor, KPMG Belgium.

"I don't want to underestimate the symbolism of the prize money, but at the same time we need more budget to make women's cycling better by other means," van den Spiegel told Belgian media.

"Television is an absolute priority. The more TV coverage, the more money comes into the sport. This is due to TV rights, but also due to sponsorships, which are the most important source of income for the teams. And if more money is available, we would rather see it distributed among the teams. That way, the entire peloton would be rewarded, not just the limited number of players (often the same ones) who have always excelled."

The race organizer, Flanders Classic, would also benefit from increased TV rights and sponsorship revenue.

While the women have welcomed increased prize money in many races and championships in recent years, van den Spiegel notes that the riders understand that it is not the best option for developing the women's cycling world.

"They don't want it," he argued. "Last season, they crowdfunded an amount equal to Strade Bianche's prize money

." The athletes did not accept it and chose to donate it to a project dedicated to women's cycling."

He added that "the money was not donated to the women's cycling association, but rather to the women's cycling association.

Van den Spiegel revealed that the Flanders Classic will announce in February its own initiative to improve the women's race in 2022. The Flanders Classic is working to equalize prize money for 2023.

He is optimistic about the development and growth of women's racing.

"It's an additional investment to give women's cycling an extra boost.

"The women's Tour de France will be back next year and the Paris-Roubaix TV broadcast has started. We are on the right track, but there is still much work to be done."