After four years, Arlington Hts. ready to host another Criterium
After a pause of four years, criterium bicycle racing returns to Arlington Heights Tuesday.
The course in and just south of the downtown is part of an 18-day racing tour in Illinois and Wisconsin called Superweek Pro Tour. The race starts and finishes on Vail Avenue just south of Campbell Street at Harmony Park.
While 500 to 700 cyclists of many skill levels will race over the same course throughout the day starting at 10:30 a.m., professionals and top amateurs line up for the featured races later in the day.
Professional and highly ranked amateur women race at 4 p.m., and the highest-ranked men start at 6 p.m.
The criterium involves many laps over a course that is less than one mile.
The tour is strictly Midwest, but international racers and teams compete along with people from almost every state, and it's a chance to pick out athletes who might eventually make a name on the world scene.
For more information, we turned to Michael Garrison, director of marketing for Breakaway Event Productions, the organizer, and Nancy Kluz, community relations coordinator for Arlington Heights. She is part of a team of village staff members who coordinated the responsibilities of the village and downtown merchants on short notice.
Michael Garrison
Q. Who are name racers on the tour?
A. There are many, however here are a few teams that really stand out: Hong Kong Cycling Team, Team Exustar from Taiwan, Team MTN from South Africa, Garmin Slipstream UCI Pro Tour, and many more.
Q. Why is Arlington Heights included in the Superweek Pro Tour?
Arlington Heights was suggested to us for several years by spectators and bike racers.
Q. Who are the leading women racers on the tour?
A. We have several Women Pro teams, including Hub Pro Cycling and Colavita Sutter Home.
Q. Where does the money come from for the purses?
A. The money comes from a combination of entry fees, national, regional, and local sponsors.
Q. Name some famous people who were on the tour either before or after they were top international racers.
A. Lance Armstong, Greg Lemond, and many more!
Q. Why will families enjoy this event?
A. Families will enjoy this free event because it is a really exciting spectator sport that is fast and furious. It is also a great opportunity to come see a world class sporting event and see your neighbors.
Nancy Kluz
Q. Why does Arlington Heights want to host a criterium?
A. A Criterium is a unique event to bring to a community. It's exciting to watch the high-intensity athleticism of these semiprofessional and professional cyclists. It's a great way to spend time downtown on a summer day.
We were fortunate to have an Arlington Heights Criterium from 2001-2005. Karen and Jim Inman, Arlington Heights residents and cycling enthusiasts, organized the Arlington Classic Criterium in conjunction with assistance from the village. With their expertise in racing and promotional work, the event was very well organized and very successful.
The Criterium stopped when the Inmans were unable to dedicate their time to the event due to growing demands in their professional lives. Cyclists and spectators often inquired whether the village would ever host another bike racing event. It was very popular, and those who enjoy cycling were very impressed with the event and sad to see it end.
This year we were approached by the group planning the Super Week of Cycling, and they indicated that they wanted to host a race here since so many cyclists said they would love to race in Arlington Heights again.
Q. What types of other activities will be going on in downtown Arlington in connection with the race?
A. Throughout the race day, Downtown businesses will be open. Parking is available in the Vail Garage (enter through Highland) and in the surface parking lots along Northwest Highway. People are invited to come out to see what special activities may be going on in Downtown restaurants and stores!
Some restaurants will be offering "Race Day Meal Deals," including Armands, and Egg Harbor will be serving from Harmony Park. Harmony Park will also be set up with several tables and chairs for spectator seating and dining.
There are plans that Urban Harvest, Fausto's Italian Kitchen and Catering and the McDonald Dance Academy will be offering entertainment and food in the parking lot just south of Urban Harvest, 15 S. Dunton Ave.
In the parking lot on Dunton Avenue, between the Dunton Court Shopping Center and Metro Lofts, live music will be starting at 4:30 p.m. with Donnybrook (which plays Celtic music) followed by a 6:30 p.m.-8:15 p.m. performance by Gone 2 Paradise (a Jimmy Buffett cover band).
Q. Who contacted whom about staging this race?
A. Breakaway Event Production approached the Village regarding participation in the Superweek Pro Tour races. They wanted to "return the Criterium" to Arlington Heights since so many pro racers have requested to race here again. The cyclists loved the fan support and the ambience of the community.
Q. Do we know how much this will cost the village (government)?
A. Hosting the race on a Tuesday (weekday) enables us to use existing staff resources, and we are able to augment with many volunteers. Since much of the activities are being handled during a normal work day, we are able to keep our production costs down. We will be able to determine final costs at the conclusion of the event.
<p class="News"><b>If you go</b></p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Race starts and finishes on Vail Avenue south of Campbell Street at Harmony Park.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Entry fees: $30; $39 for final race. Category 5 participants can purchase a one-day license on site for $10 from USA Cycling Inc. </p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Racing course closed to all vehicles, including residents' cars, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. Traffic will be restricted within a block of the course, but local traffic and parking will be allowed.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Children's races organized by Campbell Street Bicycle Shop, 13 W. Campbell St., (847) 222-7888. Fee $3; an adult must sign waiver. Deadline to register, 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. Ages 6-9 line up at 5:30 p.m. at Cronin Park. Ages 10-13 line up at 5:30 p.m. at Harmony Park.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Spectators can park in the Vail Avenue Parking garage, entering from Highland Avenue.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col">• Details are at <a href="http://www.internationalcycling.com" target="new">www.internationalcycling.com</a>; vah.com </p>