Half Acre Cycling’s Kevin’s Crit Series got to a safe and successful start Monday night. Six women and 46 men raced, including seven walk-ups. I suspect Monday benefited from an opening-night boost, so moving forward there should be ample room for anyone who didn’t pre-register.

It was a good night for new squads: Jannette Rho (Bouledogue tout noir) won the women’s race, and Adam Herndon (Team Beer’d) placed 3rd in the men’s. Track specialists had their way in the sprint, however, with Ernie Ciccolini (Van Wagner/Yojimbo’s) coming around Jeff Perkins (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) for the win. Team Tati enjoyed a home-field advantage and wound up with Adam Kaye, Francisco Torralba and Jesse Williams and Liam Bradshaw in 4th, 5th and 6th.

A last-minute change sent the race to the shorter southern loop of Calumet Park, and that’s where the race will continue this week. Half Acre says you should enter at 95th and Ewing and park along Grilly Avenue.

Weather is look dodgy this afternoon, but Half Acre says it will attempt to race rain or shine. Should that change, expect a post here as soon as a call is made.

Full results.

Race reports
Bouledogue tout noir (W-4): “As Janette dragged the lead group of three around the course, concern grew that she might be burning the candle wax at every end. But those thoughts were incorrect.”

Avi Neurohr (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew; 4/5): “Nnot a bad plan, considering we had no plan: Jeff was rested and ready for the sprint, and he lit it up.”

Keil Seiz (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “The race started fast, and I had to go full steam from the whistle to keep up with what I knew was going to be a pretty quick split in the field.”

Stan Sterlinski (Half Acre Cycling; 4/5): “It was an intense, fast race, but there was some banter going on about being just a training ride at one point.”

Team Tati (W-4, 4/5): “Two hard laps dropped a few more riders, winnowing the field now to fewer than 20.”