Countdown Begins For Inaugural Chicago Criterium
Cycling fans: get ready for Chicago-style pro-am racing! Mayor Richard M. Daley welcomes cycling's elite to Grant Park on Chicago's beautiful lakefront for the city's inaugural Chicago Criterium on Sunday, July 27. Racing will begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue through the day. The total prize money is $40,000 with $25,000 of that marked for the Pro Category 1& 2 race, the final race of the day starting at 2:25 p.m.

Spectators will have a unique opportunity to experience one of cycling's most exciting racing events from several route locations including the grandstand at the start/finish area located on Columbus Drive in front of Buckingham Fountain (Columbus and Balbo). They'll also be able to enjoy a sports expo, sponsor booths and vendors inside Grant Park. In either case, the front and back course announcer will make sure spectators don't miss a beat.

The Chicago Criterium series of races will captivate spectators with its fast paced straight-aways and tight 90-degree turns in the heart of Grant Park. A criterium or "crit" is a cycling race held in a closed circuit loop and is approximately 1.1 miles in length. The high speed left turn action begins on Columbus Drive heading north to East Jackson Boulevard, south on Michigan Avenue, east on Balbo Avenue, then back to Columbus Drive.

Race Schedule: 7:00 a.m. Category 5, Heat 1 Field Limit: 50 7:35 a.m. Category 5, Heat 2 Field Limit: 50 8:10 a.m. Women Category 4 Field Limit: 100 8:50 a.m. Juniors Field Limit: 75 9:30 a.m. Elite 3 Field Limit: 200 10:25 a.m. Women Category 1/2/3 Field Limit: 100 11:25 a.m. Masters 30+/40+ Category 4/5 Field Limit: 75 12:10 p.m. Big Wheel Race (Kids 2-7) 12:40 p.m. Masters 30+/40+ Category 1/2/3 Field Limit: 200 1:35 p.m. Elite 4 Field Limit: 125 2:25 p.m. PRO Category 1 & 2 Field Limit 200

All races include multiple trophies/medals, cash prizes and primes. Cyclists competing in each race must complete a USA Cycling standard release form and compete by designated USA Cycling licensed category. For registration information, a complete race schedule and prizes visit www.chicagocriterium.us.

-From Press Release