Equal prize lists for men and women in Cincinnati

Georgia Gould (Luna Chix) (Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

The organizers of the Cincinnati International Cyclo-cross Festival have increased the purse for the top five women at the weekend's second race, the Java Johnny's / Lionhearts International, bringing all three women's races on par with the men's pay-outs for the top five riders. Olympian Georgia Gould pushed for equal pay-outs in a petition to the UCI last year, and will be on hand to compete for the prizes in Cincinnati on October 10-12.

Gould touched a nerve with her petition, and women racers like US Champion Katie Compton are coming out in support of the race because the promoters have agreed to equitable pay. "I'm mainly racing (in Cincinnati) for the money since Mitch [Graham] is offering more for the women than any other race in the country right now," said Compton. "I do this as a job and yes, I love racing bikes, but when I show up to a national event and make less money winning the race than someone who wins "most aggressive rider" there is something wrong with that. Would you want your wife or daughter getting paid 50% less than a male co-worker simply because she is a girl?"

Other promoters have listened as well. The recent two-day UCI C2 MadCross featured equal men's and women's pay-outs on both days. For a C1 race such as the Harbin Park event, the third Cincinnati race, the difference between the UCI's mandated prize list for women and what will actually be paid is significant. Still, promoter Mitch Graham thinks it is worth it. "I have to give credit to Myles Romanow. He did the equal prize money at his Southampton races last year and it raised my eyebrow.

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"Late in the season I read Georgia's petition on equal pay for top five and it simply made sense, a perfect fit for Harbin Park for '08. Danica Patrick is the biggest star in Indy Car racing, Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most recognizable tennis players in the world, and Katie and Georgia are two of the biggest draws as far as attracting amateur racers to American cyclo-cross races. There's a real, discernable value to a promoter when athletes like this participate."