The Real Science of Sport Podcast Inside The World of Women's Professional Cycling
Aug 7, 2025
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, a seasoned professional cyclist and multiple champion, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of women's cycling. She discusses how the COVID pandemic spurred significant growth in the sport, especially through virtual competitions like Zwift. Moolman-Pasio highlights the challenges female cyclists face, including hormonal impacts on performance and the unfair bike weight regulations. She underscores the importance of holistic athlete care and the need for cultural shifts within the sport to support women's cycling effectively.
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Zwift Victory Boosts Visibility
- During the 2020 COVID lockdown, Ashleigh trained and raced exclusively on Zwift to maintain fitness.
- Winning the virtual queen stage boosted public recognition overnight, increasing her visibility in Girona.
Zwift Anti-Cheating Measures
- Zwift enforces strict protocols for weigh-ins including showing real-time scale readings and dumbbell weights.
- Equal smart trainers are provided at world championships to ensure fair competition and prevent cheating.
Overcoming Severe Back Injury
- Ashleigh suffered a serious T10 burst fracture that required wearing a brace for months.
- Recovery took a full year, with lingering muscle spasms adapting to vertebra's changed shape.