No organization puts on more races than long-time CBR supporter Athletes by Design, and this weekend’s races are the crown jewels of those efforts.

The action starts Saturday afternoon with the Winfield Twilight Criterium.  It’s an interesting course with a long, gradual climb on the backstretch. The residential course brings out the neighbors, often including a block party on the climb (above) that will call king-of-the-hill primes. Expect the lower-category races to shatter in the first few laps. Stay near the front from the gun so you don’t have to play catch-up. Meanwhile, the course is just difficult enough to facilitate breaks in the 2/3 and P/1/2 races.

The next day the action moves to a different part of Winfield for ABR’s national criterium championships. Jerseys are up for grabs in some categories, but good money and great racing are available to everyone. The milelong, rectangular course has a false flat on the backstretch and a nice kicker at Turn 3.  Recall the advice of Winfield veteran Reid Mumford (Kelly Benefit Strategies) from his CBR interview: “It’s good to notice that the the hill doesn’t end until sometime after Turn 3.  A lot of people race to Turn 3 and then think that the effort is over.  After Turn 3 is an excellent place to launch an attack.”

For USCF sticklers, there’s a criterium in Sussex, Wis., and there’s a new road race in downstate O’Fallon. Organizers promise a Hillsboro-like experience with windy roads and “short but formidable” climbs.

Saturday
Winfield Twilight Criterium
ABR criterium
Winfield, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: .5 hours

O’Fallon Grand Prix
USCF road race
O’Fallon, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: 5 hours

Sunday
ABR Criterium Championships
ABR criterium
Winfield, Ill.
Distance from Chicago: .5 hours

Sussex Criterium
USCF criterium
Sussex, Wis.
Distance from Chicago: 2 hours