The challenge of going pro: the reality for Canadian XC riders

What does it mean to be a professional cross-country (XC) mountain biker in Canada? For many, the image of a pro conjures up podium finishes, global travels, free bikes and a lifestyle funded by prize money and sponsorships. But peel back the curtain and the picture is far more complex.

Defining a “pro”

When it comes to defining a professional rider, even those within the sport struggle to agree. “For me, a professional is someone who makes a livable wage from riding. But that’s rare, even at the highest level,” explained XC racer and coach Tyler Orschel. Many Canadian riders competing internationally aren’t earning enough to support themselves. Instead, they rely on coaching or part-time jobs to make ends meet.

So what does it mean to be “pro?”

Technically speaking, as according to the Oxford dictionary, professional means someone who is, “engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation rather than as a past time.”

So let’s consider a pro as someone that is earning enough money to benefit financially; not just covering their expenses.

Carding: Canada’s funding lifeline

In Canada, athletes can access government funding through a system called carding, which provides a lump sum based on performance criteria. This financial support comes from Sport Canada to fund Olympic sports. For athletes earning less than $60k per year (based on income tax returns) and qualify for carding, they can receive the maximum of $21,180 for the year. Athletes earning over $60-90k can receive a fraction of that, and if you’re earning over $90k a year, you don’t qualify for carding. Carding doesn’t make you “pro” but it’s meant to support athletes representing Canada who are not fully paid professionals.

That said, the nomination list for 2025 carding includes every Canadian rider we’d put on the ‘potential pro’ list. These riders include Gunnar and Isabella Holmgren, Ian Ackert, Jenn Jackson, Emilly Johnston, Cole Punchard and others. Which means it’s likely none of these riders are earning more than $90K through sponsors alone.

The cost of silence

According to Orschel, adding to the issue is a culture of secrecy around athlete salaries. Many teams require riders to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), preventing open discussion. “It’s embarrassing to admit that some of the best riders in the world are making less than a manager at McDonald’s,”…