Pro cyclists gearing up for Tour of Elk Grove
Quickly becoming a staple of the suburban summer sports season, the 4th annual Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove, a nationally acclaimed event featuring top competitive professional cyclists, is preparing for its return run July 31-Aug. 2 through the streets of Elk Grove Village.
The three-day event features 15 pro/am races and will offer a total prize purse of nearly $200,000 to attract many of the top Midwest, national and international cyclists and teams.
Tour of Elk Grove was ranked the No. 1 bike tour in America in 2008 by USA Cycling, the governing body for bicycle racing in the United States.
The competitive highlight of the Tour of Elk Grove is a three-stage Men's Pro Race held over three days with a $152,500 in total prize money. It is the largest prize purse for a men's three-day, three-stage pro race in the world.
Stage 1 of that race is a 4.5 mile time trial that marks the opening of the weekend's racing at 5:30 p.m. July 31. Stage 2 is a 150K (93-mile) race through Elk Grove Village that begins at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 1. The final, Stage 3, is a 110K (68.2 mile) criterium, a race held in a closed circuit loop, that starts at 2:45 p.m. Aug. 2. The overall winner of the three-stage race can take home $25,000.
Another race expected to draw top competitors is the Men's Category 1/2. It features races on both Saturday and Sunday and $22,000 in prize money.
If you go
What: The Tour of Elk Grove, featuring 15 pro-am races and nearly $200,000 in total prize money
When: July 31-Aug. 2
Where: Start line, finish line, as well as viewing areas and a sports/food/merchant expo and kids' area, is at the intersection of Elk Grove Boulevard and Ridge.
Cost: Admission is free for spectators.
Race times: 4-6:30 p.m. July 31; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 1; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2.
On the fun side: It also features three community-wide cycling events: a Mayor's Challenge race, a Children's Big Wheel Race and a Village Trustees' Fun Ride. Community block parties on both Friday and Saturday evenings feature food, a chance to meet pro riders, musical entertainment and fireworks at dark.
Web: tourofelkgrove.com
Tour of Elk Grove schedule
Friday, July 31
4 p.m.: Charity Time Trial for trophies ( 4.5 miles)
5:30 p.m.: Men's Pro Stage 1 Time Trial* for $13,500 (4.5 miles)
7-10:00 p.m.: Community block party with music, food, fireworks
Saturday, Aug. 1
9 a.m.: Men's Category 5 (Heat 1) for awards (20 minutes + 1 lap)
9:30 a.m.: Men's Category 5 (Heat 2) for awards (20 minutes + 1 lap)
10 a.m.: Women's Open (Category 3/4) for $1,000 (30 minutes + 1 lap)
10:45 a.m.: Men's Category 4 for $1,500 (25 minutes + 1 lap)
11:30 a.m.: Men's Category 3 for $3,500 (60 minutes + 1 lap)
12:45 p.m.: Women's Open Category 1/2/3 for $3,000 (50 minutes + 1 lap)
1:45 p.m.: Men's Category 1/2 for $10,000 (70K, 43.4 miles)
3:30 p.m.: Men's Pro (Stage 2) Road Stage* for $40,000 (150K, 93 miles)
7-10 p.m.: Community block party with music, food, fireworks
Sunday, August 2
8:30 a.m.: Master's Men Category 5 (30+) for awards (20 minutes + 1 lap)
9 a.m.: Master's Men Category 3/4 (35+) for $2,500 (45 minutes + 1 lap)
10:00 a.m.: Mayor's Challenge for team team awards (4 laps)
10:30 a.m.: Master's Men Category 1/2 (35+) for $4,000 (50 minutes + 1 lap)
11:30 a.m.: Women's Open Category 1/2/3 for $5,000 (50 minutes + 1 lap)
12:30 p.m.: Village Trustees' Fun Ride (1 lap)
12:45 p.m.: Kids' Big Wheel Race
1:15 p.m.: Men's Category 1/2 for $12,000 (80K, 49.6 miles)
2:45 p.m.: Men's Pro (Stage 3) Criterium* for $35,000 (110K, 68.2 miles)
* Legs of the 3-Stage Pro Men's Competition; Men's Pro Overall 3-Stage prize money is $59,000; Pro Men's Team Awards are $5,000)