There was more to it than just a lower purse. Lance has already promised his time this season to train a young musher for the Iditarod, including loaning him some of the dogs from Lance's kennel. As it became apparent to Lance that he wouldn't have the canine reserves to run both races this year, he decided to run in the race with a bigger payout (Iditarod).

It'll definitely be different without him in the Quest this year, but I can hardly argue with his decision. He's got to keep the lights turned on just like the rest of us, and it's not like he has anything left to prove in the Yukon Quest.