Cyclists finish up weekend races in Winfield Criterium

There was no yellow jersey. No massive stage. No thronging media.

But hey, a win is a win.

Christy Keely of Holland, Mich., spent Sunday afternoon reveling in her latest victory - a first-place finish in the women's division of Winfield's annual Criterium bicycle races.

"The hill on this track was great," said Keely, who has competed in similar races in Downers Grove, Elk Grove and Chicago. "I was racing with a fast group, and I was hoping all along they wouldn't attack me on that hill."

All told, more than 500 cyclists from the Chicago area, Midwest and beyond spent the weekend zipping along the streets of the quiet, rustic village.

Some, like Jorge Cerrato of Chicago, were past athletes getting back into the groove of things. An avid cyclist back in Mexico, Cerrato took up the sport again two years ago and has competed in several area races.

"I was here last year, and I gotta say, the course was pretty tough," Cerrato said as he warmed up on his bike in the parking lot outside of Winfield Food and Liquor.

Sunday was 12-year-old Jake Schilling's third time competing in the youth division of the Criterium. Along for the ride was Jake's 9-year-old brother, Joshua, a rookie competitor.

"I've gotten fifth once but I've never finished first," Jake said as he geared up for his heat by snacking on some Nutella. "I'm hoping today's the day."

Just outside of Winfield Flower Shoppe, Roger Keller snapped photos of a group of nearly three dozen racers whizzing by. The Hickory Hills man was waiting for his 15-year-old grandson, Michael Keller. The pair, along with Michael's father, Mark, has spent the last few years racking up nearly 7,000 miles riding in an annual charity bike ride to benefit the American Lung Association.

"I used to run for about 10 years," Roger Keller said. "But I wanted to keep my knees."