The 2021 Challenge Family US$150k Pro Athlete World Bonus was decided today following an exciting final points race at Clash Daytona with Patrick Lange and Anne Haug finishing the season at the top of the table, each earning a US$30k end-of season bonus. However, further down the rankings, the Daytona men’s race really shook things up. Patrick Lange’s lead was never under threat but Magnus Ditlev’s outstanding performance at Daytona saw him leap from eighth to second in the World Bonus rankings. Ditlev showed his dominance on the bike and held off a seemingly unstoppable Kristian Blummenfelt for the first two laps of the run. However, Olympic gold won out with Blummenfelt taking the Daytona win and Ditlev taking second, still earning him enough points to propel him into second behind Lange and an extra US$20k in his pocket. Final men’s World Bonus standings and corresponding points are:

1. Patrick Lange (DEU) – 1,325
2. Magnus Ditlev (DEN) – 1,080
3. Frederic Funk (DEU) – 1,050
4. Pablo Dapena (ESP) – 1,000
5. Thomas Steger (AUT) / Braden Currie (NZL) – 950

In the women’s standings, while Anne Haug’s dominance at the top of the World Bonus table was never in question, there was a chance Laura Siddall could knock Nicola Spirig down to fifth with points from Daytona but her fifth place finish ensured Spirig stayed safe. Lucy Hall once again showed her class, leading Daytona until the final 2km when she was knocked off the top spot by Jackie Hering. However, she more than earned her third place in the World Bonus. Final women’s standings and corresponding points are:

1. Anne Haug (DEU) – 1,925
2. Sarissa de Vries (NED) – 1,530
3. Lucy Hall (GBR) – 1,450
4. Nicola Spirig (SUI) – 1,020
5. Laura Siddall (GBR) – 950

The Challenge Family Pro Athlete World Bonus initiative was established to provide professional athletes with the opportunity to race for a share of a US$150k end-of-season bonus as well as the prize purse at races. The World Bonus pays five deep across both men and women with the top ranked pros taking home $30k, second earns $20k and third wins $14k, fourth $8k and fifth $3k. Ranking is decided through a points system based on placings earned at the athletes’ six best performances at Challenge Family races during the season, of which no more than one can be a full distance race.