As a cycling fan, I love watching riders on the podium, collecting their jerseys and enjoying the joy of their achievements. What I don't enjoy is watching podium girls giving out those prizes. There is no correlation between the successes of the riders and the girls on stage with them. They're chosen entirely on their gender and looks and they're even judged throughout the competition on social media to win 'Podium Girl of the Year'! It's old-fashioned, it's sexist and it's embarrassing to female cyclists and cycle fans and it undermines the position of women in cycling. Some tours have swapped the podium girls for junior riders, but sadly the grand tours haven't. So come on Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, drop the podium girls, help make women feel comfortable in cycling, and be a part of something positive!

You don't have to be a cycling fan to sign or share this petition, and you don't necessarily have to declare yourself a feminist, you just need to care about the perception of women in sport and society in general. We shouldn't feel embarrassed by our favourite sports. We shouldn't be judged on our gender. Let's make it stop!

PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS!