Originally Posted by
kbarch
This is one thing I never understood - the notion that amateur racers are in it for the prize money - it's laughable. Now, $7,800 is a lot more than gets handed to winners at any of the little local races I've ever been to (where 1st prize is hardly more than the entry fee), but it's still nominal when you think of the cost and trouble it takes to win it. But what do I know? Maybe just the idea of a money prize is enough to make some people do crazy things.
The two women in the example are a world-class professional racer, winning $1400 at the Tour of Flanders, and a gardener from the UK who won $7800 for riding without moving. Amateur racers might not be in it for the money or the acclaim (as there is none of either to be had) but this is professional gaming mixed with exercise. People are absolutely going to find a way to cheat.