Levi's GranFondo is popular with amateurs - professional cyclists are now being lured with big money
The Levi's GranFondo in the USA offers prize money totalling 153,000 euros. The top ten in the professional race are rewarded, with the winner receiving 24,500 euros each. Amateur athletes, however, go away empty-handed.
There is an impressive 153,000 euros in prize money to be won at the US cycling race Levi's GranFondo. It's not just the winners who get the big cheque - the entire top ten will be paid out. While the winner and runner-up each receive 24,500 euros, 10th place still gets 980 euros.
Wine merchant as sponsor
The warm shower of money is made possible by a wine merchant who has joined the race as a new sponsor of ex-pro Levi Leipheimer. Those who are already wide-eyed will be disappointed: the prize money is only paid in the professional race. The amateur athletes have their own starting block and cannot compete for the big cheques.
