• » The Tour of America’s Dairyland announced Tuesday that it is seeking Illinois venues to host races in late July to complement its week of June races in Wisconsin. It could make for a busy month: TOAD is slated for June 21-July 1, the final four days of which would be National Criterium Calendar events, and Superweek is planning for July 6-22.
• » Jeff Spencer, Lance Armstrong‘s chiropractor, is speaking at Turin on Friday, Dec. 9.
• » Turin, of course, is also hosting Sunday’s state cyclocross championships at Montrose Harbor.
• » This is a clever T-shirt to raise funds to send Lionel Rochelau (Geargrinder) to Belgium for cyclocross camp.

• » The Tour of Elk Grove will again be a UCI race in 2012, this time upgraded to 2.1 status, which may help attract top teams who will be in the States for the Tour of Utah the following week. (CyclingNews notes that this change will preclude regional amateur teams, but I don’t believe any took part this year when the race was 2.2 and they were still eligible.)
• » Meanwhile, USA Cycling released its 2012 racing calendars, for the first time splitting a National Criterium Calendar from the road and stage races of the National Racing Calendar. The women’s Tour of Elk Grove and the Glencoe Grand Prix are the only Chicago race to make the NCC, the later moving even earlier to Saturday, June 2, but for the first time the Tour of America’s Dairyland will be on the national calendar with its first four races making the NCC.
• » Jim Host (PACT/Dish Network) earned masters world championships on the track in the 55-59 pursuit and points races. The pursuit set a world record, and in the points race he recovered from a crash to come back and win it on the final sprint. This came on the heels of earning three masters national championships in August.
• » In other track championship news, Joe Berenyi (Psimet) also earned a national championship in the C5 individual pursuit.
• » ABD is increasing the purse for Sunday’s Chicago Cyclocross Cup race.
• » There will be an ABR cyclocross race in Kankakee on Saturday, Oct. 29.

• » ABD swept the elite road race championships this weekend behind Ben Damhoff and Jeannie Kuhajek, who both survived long ordeals in punishing heat. Both are scheduled to race their first races as state champions this Saturday at the Tour of Galena — for which I should note pre-registration closes tonight.
• » Who else is hot? Young Brian Ellison (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew), who after making his road debut with a 2nd in the 4/5’s at Monsters of the Midway has reeled off four consecutive victories: three in the 5’s, plus Saturday’s state championship Sunday’s Spring Prairie Road Race in the 4’s.
• » And the action is sure to be hot June 25. The Glencoe Grand Prix this week announced that former national champions John Murphy (BMC) and Rahsaan Bahati (SKLZ) will toe the line for our state criterium championships. That same day, more than $5,000 in primes will be on the line for the Tour of America’s Dairyland Downer Classic.
• » A $500 purse will be on the line Thursday for the inaugural Tomasz Pac Memorial Points Race, sponsored by PACT/Dish Network.

Over the past few weeks I have updated the CBR race calendar with what I know about the 2011 season. I won’t be doing weekly previews this year, but I thought I’d put together a list of the races I’m most excited about. For new racers or anyone else planning their season, this may be a good place to start.

As always, your mileage may vary. Important factors in my ranking include character, prestige, difficulty and proximity

—

with concessions for personal bias and sentimentality.

20. Monsters of the Midway
May 14
It’s not the most exciting course

— a flat rectangle with unrestricted sight lines —

but it’s a beautiful and historic location and always has a collegial atmosphere. (It is a college, after all.)

19. Team Wisconsin Spring Classic
April 23
Several races take place in this botanic garden near Milwaukee, but this is my favorite. Three short stairstep climbs facilitate breakaways, and the uphill sprint is always exciting.

18. Wheels on Willy
May 15
Madison is crazy for bikes and it shows here. It’s a fun, interesting criterium course that gets a great turnout from local residents.

17. Spring Prairie Road Race
June 5
So popular among Chicago riders is this race that a few years ago it added an out-of-state 4/5’s field so that we wouldn’t muck with the Wisconsin riders’ state championship. It’s a simple, rolling rectangle of a course, notable for a short wall of a climb that will not only define the final sprint but can cause a selection on any given lap.

16. Tour of Elk Grove
Aug. 6-7
It’s not a popular course

— the U-turn in Turn 1 is a doozy —

but it’s hard to say no to the obscenely large purses up for grabs. This year it’s a UCI race, our first since ... well, I’m not quite sure. We haven’t had one since I got involved in cycling. That’s a big deal. We can only hope this draws some pros from the European scene.

15. Tour of Galena
June 11-12
This is a new event and an untested locale, but this three-stage omnium has the potential to bring high-caliber stage racing to Illinois. Galena is famous for its quality riding and hills, and it hosts one of the Midwest’s biggest triathlons. At three hours away it’s a bit of a trek from the city, but it is hoped that the location and purse will draw not only the best riders from Chicago but also from nearby states. (Full disclosure: This event is being put on by my team, XXX Racing-AthletiCo.)

14. O’Fallon Grand Prix
June 4
It’s a challenging hilly, winding course and for the second consecutive year is our state championship

—

but dang is it a long way from Chicago.

13. Winfield Twilight
Aug. 13
The Sunday race may be the ABR national championship, but for me it’s the Saturday criterium that’s not to miss. The course is much more interesting, including a long slog of a climb, and few races enjoy better neighborhood support. Here that support takes the form of a block party at the top of a climb, complete with king- and queen-of-the-hill contests.

12. Giro d’Grafton
June 18
This twilight criterium gave birth to the Tour of America’s Dairyland and with great crowds and large purses, it remains one of the top races of the series and is also part of the USA Crits series. Other recommended ToAD races include the sole road race, the Greenbush Road Race, and Tuesday’s unique, hilly criterium at Schlitz Park in Milwaukee. The Madison race at the Capitol should also be cracking.

11. Melon City Criterium
May 29
10. Quad Cities Criterium
May 30
Two of most historic and fastest criteriums of the season and an unforgettable way to spend Memorial Day weekend when combined with Snake Alley (No. 2). This year the top racers will be hoping to parlay their performances into a spot at the prestigious Nature Valley Grand Prix.

9. Evanston Grand Prix
Aug. 21
I’ll admit it: I fear the BK Stacker, that treacherous Turn 5 that has claimed many a collarbone. Nonetheless, this is a very fun downtown race and draws a huge crowd, and this year it’s on the National Racing Calendar for both men and women, so the elite races should be smashing. (Note that while the former Evanston Grand Prix strikes out on its own, Superweek still intends to return to Evanston in July, although no schedule has been released yet.)

8. Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge
May 15
I know my bias for climbing may be clouding my judgment, but every year I’m astonished that more people do not come out for this leg-breaker of a criterium course. With a steep hill that runs up to a ski jump, it shares many qualities with the famous Snake Alley Criterium. I’m also fond of the promoter, Ron DiSilvestro, whose events may be small and local but are rooted in a deep love for bicycle racing. We’re lucky to get a podium at most races, but here the podium comes complete with trophies, flowers and of course podium girls. Ciao, bella!

7. Leland Kermesse
April 16
6. Hillsboro-Roubaix
April 2
In only its third year, the Leland Kermesse is living up to its aspiration to be a Belgian-style spring classic. Like Hillsboro-Roubaix, it takes place on narrow, challenging roads, and for many riders just finishing will be reason for a victory milkshake, especially if there’s a strong wind. Although Hillsboro-Roubaix has history and prestige on its side, Leland is less than two hours from the city and this year joins the Illinois Cup.

5. Beverly Cycling Classic
There is only one race, a twilight P/1/2 affair, but this is a must-attend event for everyone. It’s the kick-off to Superweek, so all the riders still have all their skin and are eager to be the first to wear the series leader’s jersey. The neighborhood is fantastic, a hidden gem on Chicago’s South Side, and the neighbors provide a fun festival atmosphere.

4. Leland Grand Prix
May 14
Road races are getting fewer and farther between. We lost another one this year with the departure of the Circuit of Sauk. Many of us prefer them to criteriums, however, and are happy to drive three or four hours to take one in. Hillsboro-Roubaix may have more cachet, and God knows that in early April we are all champing at the bit to race, but this is my favorite and well worth the trip north of Madison. Each lap includes two long climbs, the kind of climbs whose tops you can’t see from the bottom, the kind where you spend most of the time thinking, “Does this ever end?” The kind of climbs we dream to contest while on the trainer all winter.

3. Grand Cycling Classic
Aug. 20
Michigan and Indiana races do a pretty good job of escaping our radar, but in 2011 this six-corner crit in Grand Rapids, Mich., will be one not to miss as the men’s national criterium championship takes place outside of the Chicago area for the first time in 30 years. There will be a full day of amateur racing leading to the main event, which for the first time will be open only to American riders.

2. Snake Alley Criterium
May 28
This is one of the most unique criteriums in the world and it may also be the hardest. The course features a steep, famously crooked switchback paved with brick, followed by a steep, technical descent. As the day goes on, the hill becomes a spectacle as rowdy spectators badger and cajole riders struggling to negotiate the climb. The carnival atmosphere is a one-of-a-kind experience, everyone owes it to themselves to enjoy it at least once.

1. Glencoe Grand Prix
June 25
In just a few years this race has established itself as one of the best-run in the area. The new course introduced in 2010 was a hit, and although it won’t be a national championship in 2011, it will be our state championship and will be on the National Racing Calendar for the men.

• » Sunday our season opens with the Kenosha Spring Training Races.
• » Oh, look: Snake Alley registration is open. As always, it’s by mail, and as always, your race may hinge on your start position, which will in turn hinge on your registration order, which will in turn hinge on how soon your entry is in the mail, which will in turn hinge on how soon you can find a darn stamp.
• » Sherman Park registration is open. The urban criterium will be on April 9 this year.
• » The Leland Kermesse has released its 2011 flier.
• »Tour of America’s Dairyland has updated its Web site with fliers for each race. Cat 2/3 fields! But it’s not going to be cheap: $38-$53 per race, plus any SportsBaseOnline fees.
• » WDT-Allvoi will be raising funds and volunteering for Make-A-Wish Foundation this season.

• » Tour of America’s Dairyland announced its schedule this week. The only road race will be the hill Greenbush course on Monday, June 20. Other notable venues include Madison and Milwaukee’s Schlitz Park, a fun course used in Superweek last year.
• » Speaking of Superweek, promoter Andy Garrison tells me at least five Illinois venues are planned for this summer, including Evanston, Willow Springs and the traditional Beverly opener.
• » A custom frame from Tati Cycles will be on the line for women racing the Gapers Block Crits.Tati will also be the title sponsor the Leland Kermesse.
• » A map of Chicago bicycle crash data.
• » NYC Velo interviews Evanston’s Barry Wicks (Kona).

USA Cycling today released its 2011 National Racing Calendar and it features three Chicago-area events.

Returning is the Tour of Elk Grove, scheduled for Aug. 5-7. New to the NRC will be the Glencoe Grand Prix, which moves to Saturday, June 25, and the Evanston Grand Prix, which withdraws from Superweek and moves to Sunday, Aug. 21, a day after the USPRO national championships are contested in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Only Evanston will be NRC for both men and women. Glencoe and Elk Grove offer NRC points for only the men.

 

• » The Tour of America’s Dairyland has set its 2011 dates: June 16-June 26.
• » Ciclo Urbano and Johnny Sprockets are hosting a zombie ride next Thursday, followed by drinks and a “Zombieland” screening.
• » ABD is more than doubling the standard payout for Sunday’s cyclocross race in Bartlett, and the South Chicago Wheelmen are paying$8,100 over the two days of Indian Lakes in November.
• » Now this is how you design a proper cyclocross course.
• » And this is how you finish a race with style.

For those with the time, means and legs to do so, a stage race or series can be an unforgettable experience. In the Midwest we’re blessed with two such series: The 10-day Tour of America’s Dairyland, which closed Sunday, and the 17-day Superweek, which starts next Friday in Beverly.

A handful of Chicago riders went all-in for the 2010 ToAD, including 27-year-old accountant Andrew Zens (Spidermonkey Cycling). Just two years after taking up racing

— in 2008 he was the dude on the Discovery bike with the Discovery jersey and the Discovery socks —

Zens headed north to race all 10 days of Cat 4/5 racing. He wrote about some lessons learned on his blog, and this week I chatted him up to learn more about his experience.

What on earth possessed you to race 10 days in a row?
At first it was the quest for upgrade points, but as the season progressed I wanted to do something that I had never done before. In your first season there are tons of firsts, but in the second season it’s hard to find something that you haven’t tried or really challenges you.

Prior to this, what was your most intense stretch of racing?
Gateway Cup was four days.

Was there a moment where you were like, “What have I gotten myself into?”
Day One. It was a race in my hometown and I`I tried to do a little of everything. This was the best learning experience a racer can have.’ didn’t sniff the front of the field, nor the middle of the field for that matter, and I thought, “Is it going to be 10 days of this?”

Racing in Illinois, we get to know each other pretty well. But what was it like racing against a bunch of cheeseheads you didn’t know, plus riders from out of the area?
At first it was really hard, not only because I had no idea who had a good wheel to follow but it made bike racing less social in general. However, as the week went on I started to make new friends in the field. That was even more important after Day Four when my teammate Bryan Witry, who was to travel with me, broke his arm.

What happened there?
At Road America he was jockeying for position coming into the uphill finish when a cheesehead rode under his bars and crashed him. Quoting Bryan, “It sucked that guy didn’t have Randy Warren‘s voice in his head saying stay calm.” The Warren safety clinic saves me weekly.

Did that make for a long day?
It really did. The worst part was that on Day Four I finally started racing well after being called out by a Chicago racing friend. Jannette Rho (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) had told me after the third day, “You need to be more aggressive.”

Did Bryan’s crash affect how you rode the rest of the series?
Probably. I got more aggressive and tried to really enjoy the races the hardest part was traveling by myself every day. It took some of the fun out of the midweek part of ToAD.

What were you doing more aggressively? Getting in breaks? Defending position up front? And how did it work out?
I tried to do a little of everything. This was the best learning experience a racer can have. One day I attacked and attacked and attacked,`When I crossed the line I was empty, and that’s all you can ask of yourself.’ then I cracked. One day I sat on the strongest rider’s wheel. One day I went for every prime.

I read on a Web site somewhere that you have to race for a year in your category before you can expect to do well in it. So I thought I could get my year in in a week with 10 races.

What was the best moment of the week?
The Greenbush Road Race. It was the first 4’s race where I competed in a sprint finish. And the course was so much fun, flying through the woods. When I crossed the line I was empty, and that’s all you can ask of yourself.

Where did you stay all week?
I grew up within two hours of every race, so I stayed with my parents. They still have my Bob Marley posters from high school on my walls. On Saturday night it was the Chicago host house with six racers from four different chicago teams (XXX, Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, Iron Cycles, Spidermonkey).

If you were to do this again, what would you do differently? What advice do you have for others?
Unless something changes I plan on doing this series again next summer, and I will realize how much mental stress is involved with racing day after day.

I would say remember to have fun. The first day I really worried about results and I sucked. When I made sure to have fun and try things, the results improved. I mean, if it’s not fun then you are just riding in circles.

Two days removed, how are your legs feeling?
Actually they feel great. I will be heading down to matteson later this evening, and I would expect to see me on the Turin ride tomorrow. Then it’s a break for a couple days.

Do you wish you’d taken any rest days?
Not at all. I would have wondered, What did I miss?

How was watching the P/1/2 races?
It was amazing. The Rahsaan Bahati (Bahati Foundation) show at Grafton was something to see.

Great question from Bahati after Greenbush: “You don’t need anything bigger than a 21, right?” Me: “Well, I rocked a 26 but we got different legs.”

Heh. That’s like Tiger Woods asking you which wedge to use.
Exactly. I also enjoyed rubbing shoulders with team directors like Verizon u25’s Mike Ebert. It’s always good to find him toward the finish. He knows where to stand for a good view.

I always loved lingering near the directors and eavesdropping as they yelled into the radios.
Well, without the radios they have time to talk to you a little more.

How much Superweek are you going to do?
Not many. Maybe four. This past week and a half I’ve seen how a stage race should be run. It was so organized and professional.  `When I made sure to have fun and try things, the results improved. I mean, if it’s not fun then you are just riding in circles.’The directors and promotors were amazing. They are even crediting Bryan six races for next year. I was blown away. I don’t really want to go back to the Superweek disorganization. However, the road races are looking pretty fun, especially Willow Springs.

Do you have any goals for the rest of the season?
I want to figure out how to make the jump from being a top 20 finisher to a top 10 finisher. I am really looking forward to Glencoe and Gateway. The Gateway crowds are unmatched, which makes the weekend.

Have you figured how many upgrade points you ended up with last week?
Zero! And that’s the best part. I don’t even care and I still had a blast each and every day.

That’s the spirit!  You’ve grown wise, grasshopper. Now that you have freed yourself from desire, I’m sure the points will come.
I am sure they will. I would like come back as a really strong Cat 4 for ToAD next year.

Some final Chicago highlights from the Tour of America’s Dairyland, which wrapped up Sunday in Waukesha:

• » Jannette Rho (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) was a rock star all week. Though she never took the top step, she was no stranger to the podium in the women’s 3/4’s, taking 3rd four times and 2nd twice. Wisconsin’s Whitney Gaggioli (Amore & Vita) was too dominant to be challenged in the overall, winning eight of the 10 races, but Rho came home with 2nd overall, followed by Cathy Frampton (Project 5) in 3rd. These were large fields, too, including more than 40 at Thursday’s challenging Greenbush Road Race.
• » Verizon u25 fought hard to defend the overall position of Mike Sherer after he donned the P/1/2 yellow jersey at the Road America Road Race, but despite several top 10 finishes he lost his podium on the final day, finishing 5th overall. Don’t miss the great videos the team produced over the week.
• » Matt Samples (North Branch) won the 35+ 4/5’s race Wednesday in Sheboygan.
• » Jared Craft (Psimet) raced all week in the 4/5’s and came home with six top 10’s, including a 3rd Saturday on Downer Avenue, finishing 10th overall.
• » Brian Conant (Comma-Van Wagner) had a consistent week in the 35+ 1/2/3’s: 6th twice, 10th twice and 11th twice.

Full results.

Series reports
Nat Bricker (University of Florida; P/1/2): “Beer feeds and high fives make even the worst of races suddenly not so bad.”

Chicago Cuttin’ Crew (W-3/4): “Pretty f’n killer, J Rho.”

Matt Riezman (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “I went rolling off the course and hit a cement post that fortunately had padding around it.”

Jared Rogers (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 4/5): “The guns that were fired in this battle were no small ones and I think I held up pretty well.”

Hogan Sills (Verizon u25): “He had to fight against pro teams for 11 days, and he managed to hold off some super-strong riders below him until the final stage.”

Joe Tortorelli (Verizon Wireless; 3): “We had at least 3 minutes on the field at one point, and that’s when i stopped working. Sure I’ll take some flack for that but it’s bike racing.”

Waterloo reports
Jerel Lynn Waide (Project 5; W-3/4): “This is perfect. Cathy can go and get away.”

Greenbush reports
Brian Morrissey (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 35+ 1/2/3): “I remained up against the yellow, which was my undoing amidst the final argy-bargy of the last two miles.”

William Pankonin (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3): “I just couldn’t ride around waiting for the end, and I could not end this race with fresh legs.”

Nathan Phelps (Big Ring Flyers; 35+ 4/5): “In hindsight I wonder if I couldn’t have gone harder during the bulk of the race and in the final sprint.”

Luke Seemann (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 35+ 1/2/3): “Better to have broken away and lost than to have never broken away at all.”

Jerel Lynn Waide (Project 5; W-3/4): “A challenging race course that allowed me to use all of my gears. Wish I had a few more.”

Andrew Zens (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “This was racing bliss. Sure it’s great to win, but it’s also great to race.”

Fond du Lac reports
Cathy Frampton (Project 5; W-3/4): “While the visit to the podium was sweet, the cow jersey remains the real elusive treat.”

Brian Morrissey (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 35+ 1/2/3): “I was waiting for the jump, and when none came, I looked behind and saw a huge gap.”

Downer Avenue reports
Cathy Frampton (Project 5; W-3/4): “I not only had to stop pedaling, but also reverse the bike a bit so she didn’t hit my front wheel. Dang!”

Kim Gialdini (Flatlandia; W-3/4): “Never look back! Just go.”

Waukesha reports
Kim Gialdini (Flatlandia; W-3/4): “I was very close to bridging up. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t yell out the women behind me to take a pull and help too.”

Some Chicago riders had a great day at the Road America Road Race today in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Early returns include Brian Haas (Alberto’s) winning the 35+ 1/2/3’s and Heidi Sarna (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) placing 2nd in the women’s 3/4.

In the P/1/2/3, Mike Sherer (Verizon u25) made it into an 8-man break that stayed away for much of the race, placing 5th behind winner and former ABD rider Frankie Dierking (Team Wisconsin). With double points for the road race, however, that puts him into the yellow jersey

—

the second Verizon u25 to take the overall lead in this series.

Full results.

Race reports
Patrick Haley (Velo Trocadero; 35+ 1/2/3): “It was pretty dicey from there on out: shouting, gesticulating, head shaking and swarming like Cat 4’s on the last lap.”

Cathy Frampton (W-3/4): “Heidi hit it. With that, the field that had been packed coming up the long rise spread out so those that still had some energy could go.”

William Pankonin (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3): “The strongest riders were sitting in and waiting until the very end.”

Verizon u25 (P/1/2): “The remaining breakaway riders waited to duke it out on the long slog up the final climb.”

Andrew Zens (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “With a strong Chicago crew in the house today, I took it upon my shoulders to be the workhorse.”

A few highlights from Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the Tour of America’s Dairyland:

• » ToAD showed women some love, and women have returned the favor, turning out in large numbers in both the P/1/2/3’s and the 3/4’s. Chicago women did very well at Saturday’s big race in Grafton, with Stacy Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Noir), Jannette Rho (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) and Cathy Frampton (Project 5) going 1-2-3 in the 3/4’s. Later in the women’s P/1/2/3’s, Debbie Dust (Bouledogue Tout Noir) placed 3rd in the field sprint, 5th overall.
• » Rho hit the podium again Sunday in Appleton, finishing 3rd, with Downers Grove’s Meghan Lapeta (Smart Cycling) in 5th.
• » The masters fields have also been big and very fast, but Bob Karlowe (Verdigris) is keeping up, placing 2nd at the Giro d’Grafton, and Brian Conant (Comma-Van Wagner) has two top 10’s to his name.
• » Bryan Witry (Spidermonkey Cycling) delivers our final podium, sprinting to a 3rd in the 4/5’s on Saturday.

Racing continues today with the first road race, on a closed-course motorway in Elkhart Lake, Wis. I’m curious whether the conclusion of the Nature Valley Grand Prix will send any more talent our way.

Full Friday results. Full Saturday results. Full Sunday results.

Thiensville reports
Nat Bricker (University of Florida; P/1/2): “I’m usually alright in the rain, but not today.”

Verizon u25 (P/1/2): “Rain and a short lightning delay did little to slow down the second stage.”

Andrew Zens (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “I thought I could make a jump to the inside and help spring Bryan but I botched the turn and the rest was history.”

Giro d’Grafton reports
Nat Bricker (University of Florida; P/1/2): ” Lots of people yelling and screaming, sirens, noise, beer. Everything crit racing should have.”

Shawn Delk (Project 5; 4/5): “Felt fine the first 35 minutes and then just started to crack.”

Debbie Dust (Bouledogue Tout Noir; W-P/1/2/3): “There was a lot of horsepower in the field and a fifth place finish is a strong result.”

Luke Holtan (Velo Trocadero; P/1/2): “As you came blaring outta turn two into the incline all you could hear was the vuvuzela.”

Ginger Sides (Project 5; W-3/4): “It was so great to see our Chicago area ladies take the entire podium.”

Bryan Witry (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “I saw my lane on the far left and went.”

Appleton reports
Andrew Zens (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “I continued my attempted to tailgun each lap”

It’s go time. Thursday evening kicks off the Tour of America’s Dairyland, and with it begins two months of fast, intense, frantic racing.

ToAD made its debut last season and although turnout was smaller than I had expected, it was well received and very professionally run. Word of mouth goes a long way, so this year should be even better. It will be some of our first exposure to national-level pros on both the men’s and women’s sides, including Bahati Foundation and Kenda, and it will draw some of the region’s best amateurs, too.

I’ve not done been to all the venues myself, but here are a few noteworthy stages:

• » Giro d’Grafton, Saturday, June 19. If it’s possible for a criterium to be a queen stage, this would be it. The race has a good track record for being fast and spectator-friendly. Expect a huge turnout for the twilight P/1/2 race, which boasts a $9,000 purse and this year joins the USA CRITS Championship Series.
• » Road America Road Race, Monday, June 21. After the spring races in Joliet and South Beloit, we should be experts in motorway race courses. This is an interesting one, a 4.4-mile, snaking course with some not-insignificant climbs. Here’s a video preview.
• » Greenbush Road Race, Thursday, June 24. It’s too bad we don’t return to the popular and challenging Blue Mounds course, but this could be the next best thing. Hopefully the race will live up to the dramatic soundtrack that Peloton-Pix used to accompany its video preview.
• » Downer Classic, Saturday, June 26. The Downer Avenue course has long been a centerpiece of Superweek, and it now does double duty with ToAD. Unlike Superweek, ToAD’s edition will have a full slate of amateur racing, and the primes will be enormous. The Ben’s Cycle Ultra Prime may even trump the overall purse, which will make the P/1/2 race super fun to watch.

ToAD is a big, big deal, but don’t forget Saturday’s Cobb Park Criterium in Kankakee, right near the one-time home of former Gov. George Ryan. It’s a fun triangle of a course, with a long, shallow climb between Turns 1 and 2, a quick chicane between 2 and 3, and then a flat run along the Kankakee River in the homestretch.

Thursday through Sunday, June 27 Tour of America’s Dairyland USAC criteriums and road races Various Wisconsin locations Previous wrap-ups: 2009 I, 2009 II

Saturday Cobb Park Criterium USAC criterium Kankakee, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008, 2009

• » Great news from West Chicago: ABD’s Wednesday night series will continue through the summer, except for the nights that conflict with the Soldier Field Cycling Series. (ABD has always been scrupulous about avoiding conflicts with other races.)
• » The Illinois Cycling Association has added a feedback form to its race calendar. You must be a registered user to see it. Comments will not be posted, but they will be shared with the race promoter, officials and ICA leaders.
• » Online preregistration for the Tour of America’s Dairyland closes Saturday night.
• » The Wisconsin Cycling Association has canceled some of its remaining races.
• » I noticed this only this week: The Great Egyptian Omnium is a stage race that will take place downstate in July. Stage races are always great fun, and these courses look interesting.
• » Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) will be riding on a composite women’s team at next week’s prestigious Nature Valley Grand Prix. Her NVGP profile page includes a fun video of her and her junior mechanics.
• » Courtney O’Neill (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) will soon be riding across the country to help build affordable housing with Bike & Build. She is tantalizingly close to her fundraising goal.
• » I can be a delicate flower sometimes. Thanks, all, for the kind words this week. It’s nice to feel appreciated.

• » The O’Fallon Grand Prix is billing itself as our state road race. Illinois Cycling Association president Steve Hansen says the ICA will announce its full slate of state championships soon. I’ve not done O’Fallon, but its 2009 course featured 1,000 feet of elevation and nearly that many turns in each of its 22-mile laps. This will make for a busy weekend: The next day Wisconsin holds its own state championships with the popular Spring Prairie Road Race. (Tower Racing, which did excellent work organizing our state road races for the past two years, tells me it will not be putting on a race this year.)
• » The 2009 ICA Awards banquet is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson and former national road champion Tom Schuler of Tour of America’s Dairyland are scheduled to appear.
• » The South Chicago Wheelmen’s Tuesday Criterium Series in Matteson is a local institution, and for more than 15 years a cornerstone of that institution has been official Mark Dorinson. (Mike Kelly (South Chicago Wheelmen) notes that Dorinson is “the one that drove the beat up grey Omni, the one that often forgot his whistle and started a race by saying ‘Tweet.’”) Dorinson is retiring from his Matteson duties, and he will be missed.
• » The Giro d’Grafton joins the USA Crit series this year. That should attract extra firepower to the Tour of America’s Dairyland, and I hope that means both men and women.
• » This month’s Gapers Block Crit Series sold out both men’s heats. Ten spots in each race, however, are reserved for day-of registrations. First come, first served.
• » Val Brostrom (Bouledogue Tout Noir) is programming races at the Northbrook Velodrome this season and tells me she’s looking at Aug. 21-22 for a weekend of state championships, rather than spreading events over several weeks.
• » Cyclocross in the winter Olympics?
• » This year’s masters national championships in Louisville, Ky., may be your last chance to take part in a nearby championship for a few years: Bend, Ore., gobbled them up, too.
• » A Chicago Web developer has designed a fantasy cycling game.

• » Enjoy the latest Leland Kermesse poetry. Online registration opens Monday.
• » Registration is open for the Tour of America’s Dairyland. Ten-race passes run $270, or $414 for the 11 P/1/2 races. Individual races are $30-$50 each.
• » The Illinois Cycling Association is having a leadership conference for clubs and promoters March 7.
• » The Allvoi Cup track series is set to announce dates of July 23-25.
• » Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) has already started racing and has a new blog with all the details.

• » Some new info for the April 17 Leland Kermesse. Longer laps, more gravel. Online registration opens March 1.
• » Good news for women: The Tour of America’s Dairyland has added a 3/4 field for you.
• » Hmm. USA Cycling now lists location for the national criterium championships as “TBD.”
• » The Illinois Cycling Association meets Satruday in Lisle.
• » Vision Quest is holding an indoor time trial in Highland Park on March 6, joining ABD’s indoor trials in the Mid America Time Trial Series.

Tour of America’s Dairyland today released its 2010 schedule.

As had been rumored, the series does not return to the Blue Mounds course that last year tested the limits of the word “epic.” There will be only two road races, with the Greenbush course featuring a significant climb at the end of each lap. The rest of the series will be criteriums, including the popular Downer Avenue course in Milwaukee and starting with a Thursday elite-only criterium in Shorewood, Wis.

No word yet on fields or prizes.

Excellent news from up north: The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has renewed its title sponsorship of the Tour of America’s Dairyland, the 11-day series that made its debut this year as an expansion of the Midwest Cycling Series. No information on schedule or venues, but the series is tentatively slated for another 11-day run, June 17-27.

Wisconsin turned on the heat this week with heat indices well above 100 at the Tour of America’s Dairyland. The conditions may have taken more of a toll at Tuesday’s Fond du Lac Road Race than the notorious climbs of the Blue Mounds course.

Keeping her cool, however, was Chicago’s Devon Haskell (Team BH USA), who won out of small breaks at both Fond du Lac and at Friday’s Greenbush Road Race. She’s just a few points out of the top overall spot. Meanwhile, Jessi Prinner (ABD) sits in 5th, and Jeannie Zuhajek (Team Mack) has several top 10’s to her name.

Full results.

Fond du Lac Road Race reports
Devon Haskell (Team BH USA; W-P/1/2/3): “I think we were all a little intimidated by the sizzling sun.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “Today was the second hardest day of my life.”

Kristin Wentworth (Team Kenda; W-P/1/2/3): “The last two laps I felt like my head was in the clouds.”

Fond du Lac Road Race photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Fond du Lac Criterium reports
James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “It doesn’t help that I’m now battling some saddle sores.”

Fond du Lac Criterium photos
Extreme Photography

Sheboygan reports
Avi Neurohr (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew; 4/5, 30+ 4/5): “Some ‘sconnie ladies were screaming ‘Cuttin’ Crew’ and the announcer mangled my name 17 different ways.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “Coming into the final turn, miraculously no one crashed.”

Sheboygan photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Greenbush reports
Seth Meyer (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; P/1/2): “I promised myself to do nothing stupid or crazy aggressive.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “We slaughtered the field in the process.”

Greenbush photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

It’s hard to believe we’re barely a week out of arm warmers and it’s already state championship time.

The fight for Illinois honors returns to Peoria on Sunday with the Proctor Cycling Classic. It’s a fun eight-corner course with wide, smooth roads and a short kicker right before Turn 8.

Open the legs up Saturday with The Downer Classic in Milwaukee, a longtime popular Superweek criterium that this year is also part of the Tour of America’s Dairyland.

Saturday ToAD: The Downer Classic USCF criterium Milwaukee, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 1.5 hours

Sunday Proctor Cycling Classic (state criterium championships) USCF criterium Peoria, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 3 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008

ToAD: Carl Zach Cycling Classic USCF criterium Waukesha, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 2 hours

I haven’t seen any of the action firsthand, but perusing the results, it appears that in both size and caliber, the fields at the Tour of Dairyland are down half a notch from what we typically find at rival summer series Superweek. I’m surprised at how few Illinois riders are heading north, and outside of the elite races, there are hardly any national or international riders. That’s too bad: All reports are that the races have been run very well, and turnout hasn’t stopped the racing from being fast — and at times downright furious.

• » Blue Mounds lived up to its billing as a ridiculously hard, hilly course with a long, steep final stretch. Of the 88 P/1/2’s who started, only 26 finished. In 12th place, Will Nowak (Alderfer Bergen) was the top Chicago-area rider. Other fields saw similar attrition and detonation. Devon Haskell (Team BH USA) had a great day, making the break and getting 2nd in the women’s P/1/2/3. A large group of 3’s hit the final climb, and Jacques Cartier (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) outclimbed all but one to get 2nd.  Jake Teitelbaum (Spidermonkey Cycling) also hit the podium, getting 3rd in the 4/5’s.
• » WDT-Allvoi hasn’t gotten a win yet but has done very well in the 3’s. Waylon Janowiak placed 5th at Blue Mounds and got 2nd at the Giro d’Grafton. Then on Sunday, Ricardo Otero and Chris Gola went 2-3 in Manitowoc.
• » It was a good weekend for the juniors: Chazz Martin (IS Corps) won the 4/5’s races at both Grafton and Manitowoc, and Jessi Prinner (ABD) finished 4th in Manitowoc.
• » Haskell wore the women’s leader’s jersey Sunday, but she got pipped in the field sprint to lose it for the time being. She ends the weekend tied in first overall, sandwiched between two Verducci/Breakaway riders. Prinner sits in 4th, while Janowiak holds 3rd in the 3’s.
• » Veteran Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy/Trek Stores) documents a contentious sprint and subsequent exchange of words between himself and Frank Pipp (Bissell) at Saturday’s Giro d’Grafton. The two of them went 2-3 Sunday and are now a tight 1-2 at the top of the men’s overall.

Monday is a rest day. Racing continues Tuesday with the Fond du Lac Road Race.

Full results.

Blue Mounds race reports
Jacques Cartier (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; 3): “I tried to ride within myself and give a couple more efforts but it was a no-go to win.”

Tamara Fraser (XXX Racing-AthletiCo; W-P/1/2/3): “I gutted it out to the last climb, swallowed my last gel, and then tried to remember to make circles instead of squares.”

Avi Neurohr (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew; 4/5): “We hit the hill and hell begins in earnest.”

Andy Powell (Project 5; 3): “For some reason, on that last climb of the lap, I had a horrible time turning over the pedals.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “Pinnacle was a huge attack that split the 21 guys in half again.”

Jake Teitelbaum (Spidermonkey Cycling; 4/5): “The rest of the race is fear of being caught by the guy behind me and hope of catching the two guys in front of me.”

Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy/Trek Stores; P/1/2): “The remainder of the finishers came in one at a time. Pretty epic. Pretty much a death march.”

Blue Mounds photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Waterloo reports
James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “Two riders came in flying on my left side with clearly not enough room, as the road quickly narrowed.”

Waterloo photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Giro d’Grafton reports
Derek Laan (Panther/RGF; P/1/2): “It is definitely a tougher field up here than we would have faced at Tour of Ohio.”

Chris Padfield (Team Get a Grip Cycles; 3): “About a half hour into the race I started to unravel due to the heat.”

James Pradun (GDVC; 3): “I’m just being a pansy and not suffering.”

Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy/Trek Stores; P/1/2): “he was slamming me and everyone else into the far left curb.  He was nearly T-boning me, trying to squeeze into a hole that wasn’t there.”

Giro d’Grafton photos
Extreme Photography
John Wilke

Manitowoc reports
Derek Laan (Panger/RGF; P/1/2): “We were all really stoked to finally produce a few top 10 results and score a little bit of money.”

Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy/Trek Stores; P/1/2): “Leaving the podium for the last time, I slipped on the aluminum steps and twisted my knee and scuffed up my shin. Bike racing is a dangerous sport.”

Manitowoc photos
John Wilke

The Illinois Cup comes back into play this weekend with two local criteriums.

Saturday is the Cobb Park Criterium, hosted by the South Chicago Wheelmen in Kankakee. It’s a flat, triangle-shape course along the Kankakee River. Online registration closes tonight, and the SCW asks that you contribute to its food drive by bringing items off this list.

Sunday’s Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge made my list of top 10 races. It’s a course as fun to watch as it is to ride, and I hope that this year it gets the turnout it deserves. I checked the course Sunday morning, and promoter Robert DiSilvestro was already out there hanging up streamers at the start/finish.

The infamous climb starts not far from the start. It will take 45-60 seconds, depending on your legs, too long for most of us to tackle out of the saddle, so sit as long as you can. The steepest pitch is at the bottom. You need to approach the turn in your small ring and one of your bigger cogs

—

better to spin for a bit than to be overgeared and risk a shifting mishap. Halfway up it becomes a series of shallower stairsteps.

The pavement at the top of the descent is choppy but nothing to alter your line over. After that it’s smooth, fast sailing all the way to the bottom. If you’re gapped over the top, it’s possible to hammer down the hill to regain contact, but do it quick, because if you don’t get any recovery before it’s time to climb again, your next gap is going to be even bigger.

The finish line is about 150 meters from the final corner. Winners will be either sprinting out of that corner or, more likely, zipping up and performing an elaborate post-up.

Meanwhile, the Tour of America’s Dairyland will be in full swing up in Wisconsin. Saturday features the popular Giro d’Grafton, with a twilight P/1/2 race at 7 p.m. It’s a technical course with a bit of a climb, while Sunday’s Maritime Bay Classic in Manitowoc, Wis., is on a fast, flat, 1-kilometer rectangle.

Saturday Cobb Park Criterium USCF criterium Kankakee, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 1 hour Previous wrap-ups: 2008, 2009

ToAD: Giro d’Grafton USCF criterium Grafton, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 2 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2008, 2009

Sunday Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge USCF criterium Fox River Grove, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 2 hours Previous wrap-ups: 2008, 2009

ToAD: Maritime Bay Classic UCF criterium Manitowoc, Wis. Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

The Tour of America’s Dairyland announced today that it is adding a third road race, on Thursday, June 18. The Blue Mounds Race to the Future will take place on a 22-mile loop that has been proposed for the 2016 Olympics. This has some serious climbing, including what appears to be a three-mile slog that climbs about 750 feet at the end of each lap, with an average 8 percent pitch in the last mile.

Today’s announcement also included news that the Trek-Livestrong U23 team will be participating in the series.

• » The Great Dane Velo Club of Madison has named its spring races after Greg Bednorski, a Cat 1 member who was killed in a cycling accident in September.
• » June’s Midwest Cycling Series has a new sponsor, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and with it a new name: Tour of America’s Dairyland.
• » The Illinois Cycling Association has more information about its team membership drive.
• » Speaking of the ICA, Steve Hansen (North Branch) made a fun discovery when zooming in on Elk Grove Village in Google Maps. Anyone have an idea which field it is?
• » Women, you have until Saturday to register for the Half Acre Kevin’s Crit Series and get $35 back in Tati Cycles credit.
• » Burnham Racing has secured discounted rooms close to its Spring Super Criterium. This could be handy for anyone going to the 7:30 a.m. beginners clinic, highly recommended for new racers.
• » Now that we’re racing again, don’t forget to offer or seek carpooling via the Ride Board. Let’s get through this recession together!
• » “Tears of joy is permitted only if from Italian descent.”

• » The Chicago Tribune takes a look at our favorite cycling cause, World Bike Relief.
• » A Spring Lake woman was sentenced to four years for the hit-and-run that killed a cyclist near Kenosha, Wis., last year.
• » The Illinois Cycling Association has finalized its Illinois Cup schedule, including a poster for your cubicle.
• » The ICA’s next officials clinic is Saturday, March 21.
• » The Midwest Cycling Series has updated its schedule, adding races in Waterloo, Wis., and Waukesha, Wis., although there’s no indication whether these are criteriums or road races. Two dates remain to be announced. Prize tables are also available. Note that race winners will receive daily jerseys.
• » Hulu has the Cyclism.

The Midwest Cycling Series, an 11-day, 10-race evolution of the formerly two-day Wisconsin Cycling Series, this morning announced four of the Wisconsin venues for its June 10-28 event: Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and the fabled Downer Avenue course in Milwaukee. All four have been locations for Superweek races, and many consider Downer Avenue to be Superweek’s crown jewel.

The MCS also announced that Jack Hirt (Velo Trocadero) will be executive director.

The implications are unclear.  Does this preclude the sites from being Superweek races, too? And will the Midwest Cycling Series expand to Illinois?

What’s not unclear is whether this is a shot across Superweek’s bow. Not only is it a shot across the bow, but it’s a grappling hook over the rail and a smart rap on the captain’s quarters. Indeed, take a look at the five bullet points the MCS promises riders: 1. Full range of fields; 2. Large purses; 3. Affordable entries; 4. On-time races; 5. Full support of the Wisconsin Cycling Association and USAC. Whether MCS can follow through on these promises remains to be seen, but these points seem crafted to address complaints riders have had with Superweek.

Twice in the past hour people have e-mailed me to tell me they’d heard that Superweek was no more. This is the first I’ve heard that rumor and my inclination is to discount it. Superweek certainly faced some difficulties in 2008, but in August, Breakaway Event Productions had already announced 2009 dates that included one extra day of racing.

I’ve solicited more information from both series. I’ll update this post as there is more information to report.

UPDATE: Breakaway Event Productions’ Andy Garrison writes to confirm that Superweek is still on for 2009, and that Downer Avenue is still scheduled for Saturday, July 25. He points out that the other Wisconsin sites named today haven’t been part of Superweek for several years. He says Superweek has focused on sites closer to Milwaukee and Chicago that he says draw more riders and spectators.

“We will continue to provide the highest quality racing as in the past,” Garrison says. “We will continue to improve things and make them better. We wish the Midwest races the best, and feel that if they do well it will enhance cycling for all of us.”