Equal prize money for Shrewsbury Grand Prix

Men and women will receive equal prize money at the Shrewsbury Cycle Grand Prix in May, organisers have announced.

Winners in both races will take home £750 each out of the total prize fund of £4,000 in the British Cycling-backed race.

This is in stark contrast to many professional women’s races, with Wiggle-Honda’s Elisa Longo Borghini receiving just €1,213 for winning the Tour of Flanders, while male counterpart Alexander Kristoff got €20,000.

Ben Lawrence, of race organisers Paramount Cycle Club, said: “For both the Women Only race and Pro Crit, there is a prize fund of £2,000, with the winner of each set to receive £750.

“It’s very unusual in cycling for the women’s prize fund to match the men's but the Grand Prix is very much about boosting women's cycling.

“Women put in just as much time and effort into their training as men and so should be able to achieve the same level of prize money.

“We would really like to attract more women to the Grand Prix from across the country.”

>>> Plans unveiled for Shrewsbury Cycling Festival

The Shrewsbury Grand Prix will take place on May 31, with a route taking in The Square, Shoplatch, St John's Hill and College Hill, among others.