Just out of curiosity - when an age group competitor wins an event that has a purse, what happens with the prize money? Does one need to be classified as pro / elite to receive it? Does the purse end up going to the first pro that finishes?
There’s limits on the total amount given out set by USAT. I think its less than $5,000 total purse and amatures can receive it, even if pros are in the event.
On a related topic, I hate when pro-level amatuers only target races that pay prize money. They are called “ringers” and most are fully sponsored and racing as an amateur. Its a really classy move when an amateur goes up to the poduim to collect the cash and then tells the race director to send the money to a charity of their choice instead. I’ve seen that happen in a couple races and it really singles out the ringers as selfish pros racing with an amatuer card.
Have an experience with this??
Are you kidding? Who cares if someone only wants to race races that they might win money at? Who cares if they race as amateur or pro? Who cares if they are sponsored? I know more than a few amatuers with the financial resources to put any sponsored athletes equipment to shame. They also have the flexability to train as they want. Does this mean we should be mad at them for having something we don’t?
If I could win a race, given the choice, I’d race the race that pays!
You’re being short sighted thinking that no one cares.
Do you have a company paying you to ride their most state-of-the-art bike on $2,500 race wheels, while being on the Nike List receiveing a pair of shoes each week in the mail for free. Do they also give you a boggus job title so that you can spend your days training instead of working. These benefits far out weigh what the typical age group amateur athlete has to do to be competitive. You thnk its a level playing field? There are amateur athletes that get those benefits. Its not as uncommon as you would think.
Nothing wrong w/ a true amatuer targeting cash events, It just seems like the winners of these events always seem to be “ringers”.
Ok, I get it. Ringer = fast. 
If someone is fast enough to win races, why can’t that person get the similar sponsorships that apparently make the playing field so unfair?
If that person DID get those sponsorships…could we call them a ringer?
It seems no one is happy if someone is faster…train more, get over it.
Another thought: Does anyone thing that RDs offer prize money to attract MOPers? Of course not. RDs offer prize money to ATTRACT the ringers and Pros. Want to be mad? Be mad at the RD.