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August 18, 2009; Conshohocken, PA, USA:  Organizers of the Cincinnati UCI3 Cyclocross Festival have released details of an unprecedented $10,000 women’s prize purse for the three-day UCI event on October 9-11.  The $10,000 in prize money for the weekend will be just a portion of the nearly $27,000 in published prize money for the weekend of races. 
 
“I think it’s awesome that the Cincinnati weekend has so much prize money for the women,” says Katie Compton, who has already committed to the event.  “I think it’s the only weekend of my cross season where I have the potential to cover travel expenses and actually make money.  That’s one of the reasons why I continue to come back to Ohio for the three-race weekend.  Not only are the courses super fun and the promoters, racers and spectators awesome, but the prize money is the best all year for women.  We have to continue to support the races that pay the women and continue to fight for equal pay out.  Just looking at the C1 prize list for women compared to men makes me angry.  It’s just not right that the women make $250 for a win when the men’s winner makes over $2,000.  It costs us the same amount of money to get to the races and we work just as hard and we should be equally rewarded.”
 
Compton will also be hosting a special women’s-only cyclocross clinic in Cincinnati on the Wednesday prior to the Festival.  It’s a unique opportunity for women of all ages and abilities to learn the sport from the most accomplished cyclocross racer in American history.  “I want to encourage women to come out and learn new things, or get a refresher on skills they already have,” said Compton of her goals for the clinic.  “A little practice in the early season always helps.”  Joining Compton in teaching the clinic will be Compton’s husband and mechanic, Mark Legg-Compton.  Junior women will receive a 47% discount when they register for the Katie Compton Clinic through the Cincinnati International Cyclocross Festival registration page on BikeReg.com.