Tour de France 2014

It IS a world apart , yes, but bear in mind those figures are just for stage finishes and sprints etc. The GC also carries a large-ish prize fund - but they aren't racing for prize money, they are getting paid to be there by the teams. A rider that does well in the TdF ( stage win) can expect a hefty increase in salary for the rest of the season, and probably the rest of his career.

Plus they get invites to all those fake races after the end of the Tour where they get hefty appearance fees