The Peoria Journal Star reports that the Proctor Cycling Classic will not be returning to Brimfield, in part because of concerns raised following Beth Kobeszka’s fatal crash last month. USA Cycling recommended continuing the race, but the race committee decided otherwise.

The current story doesn’t indicate whether there will be a replacement road road or where, but it says “organizers wanted another event that would attract more fans.” I could be reading too much into that, but that says “criterium” to me.

The news isn’t a total surprise. Comments on this story and others in the Journal Star show that many residents in the area resent cyclists in general and the road race in particular.

Road races in Illinois are already a rarity, and it’s no small task to put on one. Let’s hope there is indeed a replacement course, a safe one, and that the Proctor Cycling Classic doesn’t go the way of the Al Stern Memorial Road Race, the previous state championship.