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@jdmitch
Would it not possible to change the race format and course in such a way that is more inclusive of non-professional riders, without discouraging the pros? I have only raced one crit, but I saw pretty quickly that the drafting strategies of "road-first" riders (which is what I assume most of the pros are?) are more important than the technical aspects. In my mind, crits are great races because they simulate everyday riding more than anything else, but when the courses are relatively simple loops or long straights it seems like it favours pure speed, whereas a more technical course might favour a street rider? (tbf RHC Brooklyn looked much more technical than the London course this year)
Also the format of elimination when you are lapped can be pretty discouraging - maybe for the first 20 laps it could be "you are only eliminated if a third of the field has lapped you" or "you have to be lapped by a number of riders greater than the number of laps remaining", then you wouldn't end up with the frustrating situation of the women's race where only 3 were in it after 15 laps... Also would give hope of epic comebacks to the underdogs :)