10th Annual Charm City Cyclocross Winners To Get Equal Pay--No Matter The Gender

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The Orioles and the Ravens aren't the only professionals from Baltimore competing this weekend.

Mike Schuh reports athletes from all over the world are coming to Baltimore to test their skills in Druid Hill Park.

Cyclocross is the biggest sport you've probably never heard of.

"It is not mountain biking. It's not road biking. It's kind of in between the two," said Tom Bullough,Twenty20 rider.

In Europe, specifically its birthplace Belgium, it's as important as the NFL is in America.

Twenty20 Cycling Company in Hampden runs the cyclocross race in Druid Hill Park. This weekend's 2-day race marks 10 years. It attracts athletes from the world over.

Helen Wyman is Britain's seven-time cyclocross champ. Of any race in the world, she says Baltimore's is her favorite.

"I'm excited about the course. I love your race," Wyman said.

Every time she's come here, she wins.

But it also holds a special place in her heart because the organizer bucks the European tradition that pays women winners less money than the male winners.

Wyman thanks Kris Auer, owner of Twenty20. Right from the start he decided the professionals who win, men and women, should be paid the same prize money.

"It was more the right thing to do," Auer said.

In Belgium, cyclocross is like our NFL.

The Europeans were so impressed with Auer's management that he's now gotten the organizers of cyclocrosses super bowl to adopt the Baltimore model and pay identical prizes for men and women.

"He's an American company coming to Belgium saying 'hey guys, we're better then you at this. Maybe you need to something about this, and it's fantastic that he's done that,'" Wyman said.

Can't make it to Belgium in November? Try Druid Hill Park this weekend.

The races on Saturday and Sunday are free to spectators and take place near the Columbus statue near the lake in Druid Hill Park. For more information, click here.

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