Agree, prize money doesn't serve any purpose anymore. Those who are likely to cash it, these days have sponsors who pay for their equipment and travel anyway and the value is peanuts. It's becoming increasingly rare to see club riders at the top, they are all part of sponsored teams.
As an aside, in hill climbs there is a push towards 50% gender spread at the National championship, which is something positive to aim for, I just hope it comes gradually and with some sense... an entry still needs to be something athletes work towards throughout the season, rather than something handed in to make up the desired numbers.