As a cross racer, I do agree that I believe cross is better for women. In most races in my region, we have two W's races, cat 3/4 and cat 1/2/3 and sometimes even a masters race. I also believe that many of the races are offering equal payouts to M and W.
BUT, this is in the US and it creates a problem for the European pro women. They come here to race because of the better payout (they are trying to support themselves afterall), but then their home federation may have a problem with them not competing in enough "home" races.

Here is a video of Julie Krasniak, one of the best female French cross racers (as well as overall female cross racers), explaining why she may not be able to compete in Worlds for that reason. The French federation may not give her a place on the team because she didn't do their series, which is much shorter and pays less than the US Grand Prix series. So it's a catch 22.(Also, the FF is not taking as many women to Worlds as men...they won't even let her go if she pays her own way!)

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/speaker/1...Julie-Krasniak

Sorry if this posted twice. A little internet issue here.