New in 2008: The Chicago Criterium
Jun 15
2007
Filed in: Chicago Criterium


Comments (5)

The city this morning announced the inaugural Chicago Criterium, to be held in Grant Park July 27, 2008, and featuring “national and international cycling teams,” no doubt part of the mayor’s effort to establish the city’s Olympic credibility. (There were rumors of a major race on Memorial Day weekend this year, but it never came together.)

I had dinner with a CBF employee last night and she was stubbornly tight-lipped about the announcement. I’m going to try to flesh out some more details: Will it be on the National Race Calendar? Will it be part of Superweek? What exactly will the course be? Will there be amateur races?

And who will be the first to tell the city that “inaugural” has only one “n” about the missing apostrophe in the headline that it needs to hire a highly paid copy editor cum cycling consultant?

In any case, this could be a lot of fun. Spectators? A grandstand? Jumbotron? At a cycling race? Crazy!

(Thanks, Jason!)

Comments

1.

Jun 15
2007

2:54 pm

There is some precedent to a downtown race.  I recall back in 1987 or so there was a downtown race that attracted pro teams—the Schwinn-Wheaties team at the least.  Anyone recall that?

2.

Jun 15
2007

3:02 pm

Luke

A co-worker was just telling me about the Wheat Thins Mayors Cup, a series of criteriums that hit the big cities in the ‘80s. Perhaps that’s what you’re thinking of?

Of course, there were the glory days when cyclists including Major Taylor would race down Michigan Avenue.

3.

Jun 15
2007

3:22 pm

Jeffrey Wat

Might this be the big event Randy Warren was referring to when he said there would be an announcement about a “major bicycle event in Chicago” and the Bike to Work rally this morning?

4.

Jun 18
2007

2:04 pm

I remember going to the Wheat Thins Mayor’s Cup downtown.  I think it was at or near Navy Pier?  It may have been pros only. I think a friend had a hand in putting on the Chicago version, I will have to ask her. I vaguely remember that the national promoters had the idea of making bike racing more popular by holding the race in a place that lots of people would be likely to see it.  I think they also tried to make it a kind of noisy, action-packed, circus-y type atmosphere that would draw people in.  Hence I think the crit course was pretty short. 

But there is another downtown race cjb could be talking about in the post, that was in Grant Park.  It was was what had originally started as the Illinois State Criterium.  The promoters turned it up a notch, gave it another name, and had a pro race (along with regular USCF races) there at least for one year. (and maybe more?) I can’t remember the name of it.

I think it poured rain on race day that year!  I think they put alot of effort into publicizing it and putting on a first-class race. They gave out some of the nicest race medals I have ever seen - by Tiffany - in the signature Tiffany blue box!  I think this may have been the precursor to the Downer’s Grove Crit.  I think they later moved it to Downer’s Grove, but my memory is fuzzy on that. I think it was the same promoters, though.  I think it was put on by Ken Carl and his business partner?  (someone correct me if I am wrong)

There was also an Oak Park Criterium put on by Turin in that same era that attracted some pros and had some decent prize money.

5.

Jun 18
2007

3:07 pm

Yes, there was a big race at Grant park called the Bowl-Mich bike race. It was during the early 80’s with big teams like Panasonic,7-11 etc. Heiden, Van-Haute, Farrell, Schuler, Kron, Knickman, just to name a few. Big prize list. I raced in it and walked away with a color TV, Tisott watch and a nice bit of cash.

 

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