Tour of Elk Grove bike race kicks off Friday
World-class racers, serious amateurs and recreational riders are converging on Elk Grove Village Friday-Sunday, Aug. 3-5, for the seventh running of the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove.
This year's event will feature world-class cyclists, a three-stage professional men's and women's race, a children's Big Wheel race, and the Village Trustees' Fun Ride, among many other events. New this year, the race has been designated a Union Cycliste Internationale 2.1 race, which ranks the Tour of Elk Grove among the elite cycling competitions in the world.
This event is about the racers, but it's also about the enthusiastic spectators who line the routes, the sponsors and vendors who support the event. As well, the village will celebrate the weekend's festivities by throwing Block Parties that include live music and fireworks. The Block Parties let residents mingle with the athletes. Food, soda and beer will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.
Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson is back on his bicycle, and he challenges other amateur riders to beat his time in the Mayor's Charity Time Trial Fundraising Ride, 3:30 p.m. Friday. The mayor will donate $20 to the Soldier's Memorial Fund for the first 25 riders to beat his official time (he will start at 3:15 p.m. base time). The course is 4.5 miles. Day-of registration closes at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Entry fee is $50 and proceeds benefit the Soldier's Memorial Fund.
Here's the schedule of events.
FRIDAY, AUG. 3
3:15 p.m. Mayor Johnson sets the Charity Time Trial pace, 4.5 miles
3:30 p.m. Mayor's Charity Time-Trial. Every 60 secs. Top 3 finishers get awards. $50 entry; limit 50 racers.
4:30 p.m. Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau Pro Women Cat. 1/2 (Stage 1) Time-Trial, 4.5 miles. $2,750 in prizes. $150 entry; limit 125 racers.
5:45 p.m. AXA Equitable Pro Men (Stage 1) Time-Trial, 4.5 miles. $4,500 in prizes for this stage. $175 entry fee; limit 200 racers.
7:30-10 p.m. Block Party, on Ridge and Elk Grove Boulevard. Food, beverages and entertainment from the band 7th Heaven. Admission free. Sponsored by the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau.
About 10 p.m. Fireworks
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
1.2-mile Criterium Course; 9.5-mile Road Stage Course.
8 a.m. ManorCare Health Services Masters 35+ Category 5; 25 minutes. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. $30 entry; limit 50 racers.
8:30 a.m. Men's Cat. 5 (Heat 1); 25 mins. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. $30 entry; limit 50 racers.
9 a.m. Safeguard Basement Technologies Men's Cat. 5 (Heat 2); 25 mins. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. $30 entry; limit 50 racers.
9:30 a.m. Supervisor Vanderweel's Women's Cat. 3/4 30 mins. +1 lap; $1,000 in prize money; $30 entry; limit 75 racers.
10:15 a.m. Jersey Mike's Category 4, 35 Mins +1 lap. $750 in prize money. $30 entry; limit 100 racers.
11 a.m. Rocco Vino's Category 3, 60 mins., $1,250 in prize money. $35 entry; limit 175 racers.
Noon-4 p.m. Kids Fest
12:15 p.m. ComEd Category 1/2, 70K; $3,500 in prize money; $50 entry, limit 175 racers.
2:15 p.m. Comcast Pro Women's (Stage 2) Circuit Stage, 60 mins.; $5,250 in prize money. Limit 125 riders.
4 p.m. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Men Stage 2 (Road Stage), 155K. $13,000 in prize money for this stage. Limit 200 riders.
7:30-10 p.m. Block Party, on Ridge and Elk Grove Blvd. Food, beverages and entertainment from the band Rod Tuffcurls & The Benchpress. Sponsored by the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau.
About 10 p.m. Fireworks
SUNDAY, AUG. 5
1.2-mile Criterium Course
8 a.m. Rotary Club of Elk Grove Village Masters 35+ Men's Cat. 1/2; 50 mins. $1,500 prize money. $35 entry; limit 175 riders.
9 a.m. Elk Grove Village Bank & Trust Masters 35+ Cat. 3/4; 45 mins. $1,000 prize money. $30 entry; limit 150 riders.
10 a.m. Village CycleSport Cat. 1/2, 70K. $4,000 prize money. $50 entry; limit 175 racers.
Noon-4 p.m. Kids Fest
12:40 a.m. Trustee Fun Ride, 1 lap. Free, open to all. Ride the course that the pros ride.
1 p.m. Shimano Big Wheel Race, 100 meters. Free, open to all kids.
1:30 p.m. McDonald's Pro Women Stage 3 Circuit Race, 75 mins. $6,250 prize money. Limit 125 riders.
3 p.m. Gullo International Pro Men Circuit Race (Stage 3), 115K. $12,000 prize money for this stage. Limit 200 riders.
After final race: Awards for the top individual men racers ($18,000 in prizes); the top women racers ($6,500 in prize money) and the top men's team ($2,500 in prizes).