She Left Pro Cycling. What She Built Next Is Changing the Game

In a compelling episode of the Ride To Success s podcast, host Pedro Couto Lopes s sat down with Chloe Hosking OLY —former professional cyclist, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, lawyer, and now the founder of Hosking Bikes . What unfolded was a raw, insightful, and inspiring conversation about transition, purpose, and disrupting the cycling industry from the inside out.

"She Walked Away from the WorldTour—and Built Something Bigger"

Chloe Hosking is no stranger to high-performance sport. For over 13 years, she raced at the top level of international cycling, claimed a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and was once ranked among the top 20 riders in the world. But in this episode of Ride to Success, it’s not just her race wins that take the spotlight—it’s what she did after.

“Cycling gave me so much,” Hosking reflects. “But it wasn’t just about medals. It was about learning how to lead, how to work in a team, how to adapt—and those are the skills I carried into business.”

The Collapse That Changed Everything

Hosking's transition out of professional sport wasn’t the carefully planned farewell tour many athletes dream of. In late 2022, after signing with a new French team for the upcoming season, she received a shocking message: the team had collapsed. Just weeks before the start of the racing calendar, she found herself without a contract, a team, or a clear next step.

Instead of scrambling to re-enter the pro peloton, she chose to pivot. “I didn’t want to accept offers that didn’t reflect my worth,” she said. “So I went home, finished my law degree, and focused on what I could build next.”

That “next” became Hosking Bikes, a company born from Chloe’s belief that cycling should be more accessible, inclusive, and empowering—especially for women.

Hosking Bikes: Purpose Over Prestige

Unlike traditional bike brands that launch with elite performance specs and million-dollar sponsorship deals, Hosking Bikes took a community-first approach.

“We’re not just selling bikes—we’re building belonging,” she explained. “We want to be Australia’s first touchpoint for new cyclists. Especially women who have felt excluded from the sport.”

From partnering with grassroots charities to supporting junior cycling clubs, the company is putting representation, affordability, and storytelling at the heart of its mission.

And Chloe isn’t just behind the scenes—she’s on the front lines. Whether it’s running junior bunch rides or speaking out about governance gaps in sport, she’s advocating for safer, smarter, and more equitable pathways for athletes.

A Voice for Women in Sport

The episode also touched on Chloe’s growing role as an advocate for gender equity in sport—not just on the road, but in leadership.

"Only 15% of executive positions in the cycling industry are held by women," she said. "That’s not just a stat—it’s a structural problem. And I want to be part of solving it.”

From speaking out against unjust selections to studying sports corruption at law school, Chloe’s mission is clear: protect the integrity of sport and create space for women at every level—from grassroots riders to boardroom leaders.

Listen to the Full Episode

🎧 Catch the full conversation with Chloe Hosking on the Ride to Success podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube

Topics discussed:

- Managing Uncertainty and Identity After Sport

- Challenges in Women's Cycling

- Reflections on Professional Cycling and Future Aspirations

- The Evolution of Women's Cycling Careers

- The Birth of Hosking Bikes

- Community Engagement and Grassroots Initiatives

- Women in Leadership: The Path Forward

- Equity vs. Equality in Sports

- Sports Governance and Inequality

- Leadership in Cycling

Thanks for listening

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