Rider hurt in crash in final turn of Cycling Classic

A crash in the final turn in the last mile of the 105-mile race Saturday shook up the Alexian Brothers International Cycling Classic Tour of Elk Grove, drawing gasps from the crowd watching the scene on a large screen near the finish line.

One of the race's top riders, Chris Horner, reportedly suffered a broken collar bone but there were no other serious injuries. Horner, still smiling as workers applied ice to his left shoulder before the paramedics arrived, told Mayor Craig Johnson that he'd be back at next year's race.

Hilton Clarke, the winner of the 2006 inaugural Tour of Elk Grove, heads into the final stage today with the yellow jersey after winning the 105-mile road race Saturday.

"I just said to my team, 'Now we take control.' And I just cruised to the finish," Clarke said. "Tomorrow is my specialty - the criterium."

Clarke, of Australia, who has called the Tour of Elk Grove his "home race," said he felt confident going into today's 68-mile ride and the chance to repeat his win, which would mean a $28,000 prize. He had to miss last year's race due to an injury.

The pro men's race resumes at 3 p.m. today with a 68-mile ride on a 1.7-mile course in Elk Grove Village.

Besides being a top sporting event, the race has quickly risen in its three years to a major community event drawing spectators from around the suburbs.

For the first time, Schaumburg neighborhood streets became part of the annual race. Saturday's second stage included a road race winding through Schaumburg and ending in Elk Grove Village.

A chorus of "Here they come" erupted in a typically quiet Schaumburg neighborhood Saturday, as the pack of professional men's cyclists in the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove sped toward a crowd of neighbors. Bales of hay leaned against trees around the corner to help buffer riders.

Stretches of roads through Schaumburg and Elk Grove had to be closed for the race.

But residents gathered at the corner of Weathersfield Way and Cedar Crest Drive didn't seem to mind the inconvenience, instead basking in the excitement of having a pro men's race run through the middle of their neighborhood.

Jerry and Diane Moza, who have lived in Schaumburg for 38 years, came over to the corner to catch the riders. They like watching racers from around the world compete in their town.

Dave Doherty, 17, who will be a senior at Schaumburg High School, and his friends took the opportunity to get some sun. "I just kind of wanted to see it," Doherty said. "It just seemed fun."

His friend, 16-year-old Michael Gallagher, said they do like to bike but it's mostly for fun and for economic reasons. "We bike around because we don't want to pay for gas," Gallagher said.

A.J. and Sachi Yoritomi, of Schaumburg, watched the racers at two areas in Schaumburg. They loved the fact that the Tour Elk Grove, which they watched last year, included a road race this year. "Road racing is a little more exciting since there's a broader field," A.J. Yoritomi said.

In Elk Grove Village, residents have become accustomed to the annual event, hosting front yard parties with friends. The bike race has quickly become a community event in the three years since the village began hosting the race.

Rob and Luanne Juberg set out chairs for themselves and friends to watch outside their Elk Grove Boulevard home, just as they've done since 2006. Luanne raced last year.

"It's fun when you can sit there in your front yard and watch a race," Rob Juberg said.

They are so close that they can hear the bikes shifting gears. "And smell the brake pads," their friend Wolf Thuemmer said.

The Jubergs also enjoy interacting with the top riders, such as offering water to riders who stop in front of their home.

Eight-year-old Zoe Blonquist decided to hold a stand along the Elk Grove Boulevard race route near her home. She sold what she billed as "fizzy fruity drinks" for $1 with her cousin, 9-year-old Sarah Rowley of Geneva. "We were trying to earn money for a Wii," Blonquist said.

Zoe's dad, Eric Blonquist, stood near them to take in the race. "It's pretty cool that it's a major event here in Elk Grove, our little hamlet," Blonquist said.

Saturday's racing also included amateur competitions. Kristin Meshberg of Lyons was the overall winner in the women's race.