Jasper Stuyven took a brilliant win at Milan-Sanremo, timing his final effort to perfection to just get across the finish line before he was swamped by the riders in the chasing group, with Caleb Ewan in 2nd and last year's winner Wout van Aert in 3rd place (Photo: Marco Alpozzi)

Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) claimed almost half of the total prize fund on offer at Milan-Sanremo on Saturday, with €20,000 for his victory, from the total €50,000 shared by the top finishers.

While the race was 299km long, is one of the biggest pro races of the year and featured a start list of 200 riders, just the top 20 men over the finish line on Via Roma in Sanremo got a cash prize.

And the difference between 1st and 2nd on the day was a very large one; Stuyven on €20,000 compared to the €10,000 won by runner-up Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal).

While Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma), who won the race last year, finished 3rd this time he won a very modest €5,000 for his efforts after 6½ hours in the saddle.

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By the time the prizes get down to 8th place, still a very strong result, the prize money has reduced considerably; Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious) filling that position this time and winning €1,000.

And from 10th place, Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie), through to 20th, where the prizes stop, each of the riders won €500 for their efforts.

In pro cycling the vast bulk of the riders' earnings are achieved through a salary from their team, meaning the prize money from races is extra cash, though it is modest.

In most teams, the prizes will be shared by all the riders from that team who rode the race and often by the team staff too. Of course, the tax authorities have to get their share too.