In all the Superweek hoopla, I’ve neglected to preview the biggest Chicago race of the year: our Chicago Criterium.

I did a few circuits of the course this evening. It’s fantastic. This is unquestionably the finest criterium course in the Midwest and perhaps the entire United States. USA Cycling should move the national championships here.

It has everything: Technical corners. Climbs. A long stretch on which to wind up some wicked speed. And the views! In fact, this could be the course’s only drawback: Between the architecture, the sculptures and even Lake Michigan, it will be dangerously difficult to focus on the race. People will want to dismount and write postcards.

The stretch down Michigan Avenue and Congress Plaza is particularly amazing. Chicago hasn’t enjoyed a backside this perfect since Beyonce played the United Center. (By which I mean the B-side of “Dangerously in Love.” What did you think I meant?)

The money will be huge, the crowds will be enormous and some of the biggest names in domestic racing will bring their legs of great wattage to the City of Big Shoulders. Indeed, the final sprint Sunday could very well become the fastest a bicycle has ever gone within city limits since Major Taylor did a mile here in 1:19.

If that’s not enough, I have two words for you: “Jumbo” and “Tron.”

And lucky us, we amateurs get to race, too.

Depending on how the barriers are set up, Turn 2, a downhill left onto Michigan Avenue, may prove dicey. Keep your inside pedal up as you lean. Do not use this turn to advance positions. Find a wheel you trust and stay there. Advance up the inside and you will get pinched and yelled at. Advance on the outside and you will quickly run out of real estate and run up into one of our mayor’s beautiful concrete planters. Let’s not have to christen this corner the Art Institute Stacker.

Cat 4 and 5 riders should expect a lot of accordion effect at this corner. The first rider will go through at full speed, but the second will slow a smidgen. The third will slow two smidgens. And so on. By the 20th rider, you’re going through at 15 mph and already seeing the leaders go up Congress Plaza.

What do you do? Make your way to the front 10 riders and stay there. Failing that, be sure to shift down once or twice before the turn and be ready to sprint out of the corner to catch the rider ahead of you. The first time you let a gap open here may well be your last.

Consult the race bible for a list of the generous primes available. Primes are so generous, in fact

— $425 for the 3’s, an astounding $2,800 for the P/1/2’s — that I’d be surprised if any breaks got off. If someone is foolhardy enough to try — and especially if that someone is, say, a XXX Racing-AthletiCo rider who hasn’t gotten much sleep lately —

I recommend not wasting any energy in pursuit.

Team tents can be set up at Columbus and Balbo, Turn 4. It’s there that you’ll find Vitaminwater-Trek giving away World Bicycle Relief water bottles in return for a $6 donation.

If you’re dropping off bikes or other gear, do so on Columbus north of Jackson.

This will be fun!