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@Velocio
Total sense. You want an above average frame, and not a prize road bike. Good enough that it doesn't weigh a bomb. Any material will do, but favour touches of carbon as it dampens and reacts well, whereas a full alu frame is noisey (on your arms and arse). That'll set you back around £750 new or £500 s/h.
Then drop money on stiff wheels and upping anything you distrust or doesn't work well enough. The Veloce shifting is clunkier than the Chorus, a good stiff set of wheels will make a hell of a difference when you come around the top of CP onto the little straight and want to sprint it. Good brakes save you in every way. Make sure the shoes/pedals are ones that you're really comfortable in and are fine to crash in (clips and straps are out).
I raced on my Serotta, but never floored it like I did on my Cannondale. You've got to accept that the bike might be smashed up, and then budget accordingly. Spend the money only on things that make a big difference to you... it's nearly always the wheels.