Bike racing comes to the Chicago area in a big way this month, with the debut of the Chicago Criterium in Grant Park on July 27. But that’s just one of the opportunities for cyclists in the Chicago area. 

The Evanston Criterium is back for its second year (July 20), as are five other  Chicago-area events that are part of the International Cycling Classic (see chart), formerly known as Superweek. Racing continues into August with the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove (Aug. 1-3) and National Criterium Championships in Downers Grove (Aug. 16-17).

Races Expand in 08

The exciting third annual Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove cycling event in Elk Grove Village, Ill., is growing in 2008, expanding from a two to three-day event. New or noteworthy in 2008 are:

• The total prize money for the 15 pro/am races  has been increased from $200,000 in 2007 to $225,000 in 2008, making it the largest prize purse for a men’s professional cycling event in the world.  Total prize purse for the Three-Stage Professional Men’s competition—Tour of Elk Grove’s most prestigious event—has been increased from $152,500 to $170,000. (The overall winner of this competition will receive $28,000.)

• The first stage of this men’s three-stage pro race, a 4.5-mile time trial, kicks off the weekend on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

• A 150K road race will be held on Saturday.

• The Men’s Elite Category 1/2  race has been expanded from one to two stages in 2008. The first stage takes place Saturday, the second stage on Sunday.

From the Sidelines: There’s something for everyone at this year’s Tour of Elk Grove. For starters, there will be new spectator bleachers near the start/finish line at Elk Grove Boulevard and Ridge. The Tour of Elk Grove’s sports expo—just steps south of the start line—will be expanded in 2008 to feature more sports, food and retail vendors.

For the youngsters—there will be a new Kids’ Fest area sponsored by Wal-Mart with tons of activities for children and families.

On Friday and Saturday nights from approximately 7:30-10:30 p.m., the community and visitors are invited to attend free evening block parties to help celebrate the weekend of cycling. Parties will feature food, beverages, live music and end with a gala fireworks display guaranteed to wow young and old alike. Performing on Friday night will be Chicago pop/rock faves Underwater People. Saturday’s performers will be The Hat Guys with a groove-pop sound.

Celebrating Its 22nd Year 2008!

The granddaddy of Midwest cycling events—the 22nd annual National Championships of Cycling—returns the weekend of August 16-17 to the streets of southwest suburban Downers Grove.

Featuring the USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championship as the grand finale on Sunday along with the awarding of the prestigious “Stars & Stripes” jersey to the top American winner, NCC boasts 15 cycling races with more than $40,000 in total prize money. Equally impressive is the fact that the races attract the world’s top athletes, many of whom have competing in past Olympics as well as Tours de France and other high-profile worldwide cycling races.

Other weekend highlights include a  50K Pro-Am Challenge… a 50K Women’s Elite National Criterium Championship… and an 80K Men’s Elite Criterium Championship.

From the Sidelines: Imagine a bucolic Norman Rockwell painting with tree-lined streets, cozy restaurants and storefronts and you’ve come to the start/finish area of the National Championships of Cycling in downtown Downers Grove. After more than two decades, NCC has become an annual community institution where an estimated 15,000 spectators from throughout the region come to watch and cheer the riders along the figure-eight course route.

Nearby, NCC also hosts a sports expo where young, old and families check out its vendors between the races—or to simply take a break from the day’s excitement. And on Sunday afternoon before the weekend’s big finale (the USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championship at 3:00 p.m.), the town’s children between the ages of 2-7 don their approved helmets and bring their own big wheel bikes (a limited number are available on-site) to have fun at the Big Wheel Grand Prix on Main Street.

Website: www.dgcycling.com