Would you enter a race if there was no prize fund?

[KJ]

[John McC]

[grover]

Its much better to have the trophy on display in the changing rooms before the race then the winner gets to take it home on the day.

Something to show the missus when she asks why you are so late
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Kelly was good, but he never won on Scale Hall

[Badger]

[NS]

[tommo]

yeah i got 4th at darleymoor 2 day and didnt get a penny
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[De Rosa]

I have always found it strange that we race for cash in cycling when many other sports have competition at a really high level for no prizes or fairly minor trophies. Rugby and football matches at club level spring to mind.

I wonder about prizes for Premier Calendar events as well. If some Premier Calendar events are in danger of folding because of the high cost of running them and now that we have essentially no pro class in UK and there are few full time bike riders riding the road why do we have to still have a significant cash prize list for Premier events? Probably because that is the way we have always done it. But I suspect you would still get the same number and quality of (UK) riders for a premier if there were no significant prizes. I am sure it would be an uncomfortable change but if it helped to keep such classic events as the Lincoln and Archer it would be worthwhile.

Anyway I am not qualified to talk about prizes. I can honestly say I don't think I have won anything at all except £15 at Birmingham Business Park a few years ago when I got 3rd as nearly all the others fell off. I tried to give it back but the organiser insisted I keep it - probably as he knew it was going to be the only thing I ever won on my bike in my life!

[p*bongo]

[joxster]

Trophies, nah they just end up in the attic. Jerseys end up in the suitcase, in the attic (along with the medals).

It's got to be cash. I can't see JT racing for free either
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[Pinarello]

[Julian Mortel]

Riders are after the BC points - that's most important to them ??

Some cash is a nice bonus.
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[ColT]

[Iffacus]

If I only raced for money, I'd probably never enter an event.

I have only ever won money on one occasion for getting 2nd handicap on the E1/25, and think that only just covered the entry fee
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Murphy's Third Atmospheric Law of Bike Commuting is that the headwind you encounter on the way to work will shift 180 degrees in direction about 10 minutes before you decide to home.

[Zeco2]

Surrey League and SERRL riders race for points which are valued at the end of the season. BC points are just a distraction.

When amateurs were called amateurs (even if they weren't) , trophies and sets of cutlery and the like were often sold off (or pawned) by the winners. The BCF (and the NCU before it) had an agreement with the AAA and other major bodies that precluded the payment of cash prizes. Whereas now, in total contrast, some of our top athletes are coining it in.

Vouchers for cycle equipment were once the norm,usually donated by dealers, which were then 'bought' back. Equipment was donated and also bought back by the dealers. Simplex rod front changers were always making the rounds, listed in the prize lists, sold back to a dealer and then donated again. Mudguards and pedals were always popular.

A good event might boast a pair of sprints for the winner, a 'classic' might even offer a frame set. The BLRC adopted a more relaxed attitude and the brown envelopes were always in demand for amateur races whilst the 'Independents' were allowed to accept the cash.

I vividly remember an article in Jock Wadley's Sporting Cyclist featuring Haverhill's Mick Ward who had been racing in Belgium. The Belgians, we were told, paid out cash prizes (to at least the first twenty) and justified in their rules as off-setting the riders expenses. Many British races were still paying out to just the first three places (£3, £2, £1). Even the time trials awarded handicap prizes. Thereafter, any enterprising road race organiser would try to stretch out the prize 'money'.

Incidently, I once organised a 'free entry race' and still gave the usual prize list of the day (cash in envelopes). First thing the winners said was "you should have charged a fee and increased the prizes".

In total contrast, I once met with a potential sponsor for a pro' race and he very much liked the idea of giving just one prize of £1,000 to the winner. That was in 1967. I believe that was in fact common practiice 'down under' for events such as the 'Melbourne to Warnambool' (a marathon handicap race). Groups of riders formed a 'chop' to share the winnings. Our man eventually agreed to eight £25 primes in addition to the £1,000 but then his clients backed out. The race was actually screened by the Beeb.
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The British Monarchy = Institutionalised Privilage

[joxster]

[ozydamo]

well most of the races in the uk are nearly for free any way compared to the amount of nominations they recieve

[Dastardly]

Winning prizes was great as a schoolie - better than a paper round.

not really bothered now, but then I dont win much anyway.

Agree about the trophies being important. Getting a trophy with illustrious winners from the past engraved on gives an event heritage, and is a prize to be cherished.

[scoobydoo]

[Billy Boy]

Points are pointless, and so is prize money unless it's 5 grand.
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[scoobydoo]