It’s one of the most gruelling sports there is, with top cyclists carrying out superhuman feats as part of their daily job, but if you manage to become one of the world’s top cyclists then you are richly rewarded.
While the prize money on offer doesn’t match the likes of tennis or golf, Tadej Pogačar still earnt over €500,000 for winning this year’s Tour de France.
Unlike many sports, these competitors earn the majority of their cash from being paid a salary by their racing team - a figure they can then bolster with money-spinning advertising and sponsorship deals, personal appearances and shrewd investments.
Here are the top 10 highest paid cyclists in the world in 2026.
9. Egan Bernal
(INEOS Grenadiers reportedly play Columbian rider Egan Bernal around €2.5 million per year. | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
10. Carlos Rodríguez
Spaniard Carlos Rodríguez completes our list of the world's best paid professional cyclists. It's thought that his team, INEOS Grenadiers, will pay him in the region of €2.5 million in 2026. | AFP via Getty Images