Criterium switches gears for 2007 race

The Quad-Cities Criterium will be changing speeds for 2007. Highlighting these changes will be the moving of the feature men’s and women’s races to the final two spots of the day. In addition, the prize pool for the men’s feature race has grown to $10,000 in order to attract better riders. They have even added a new title sponsor, Criterium Financial.

Returning on its familiar Memorial Day space, The Criterium will feature past favorites that include the big wheel and tricycle race for kids ages 2 to 5 and men’s masters race for those ages 50 and over. The course is wired for sound so spectators can listen to play by play of each race as it happens. The course still retains its familiar hourglass pattern with the start/finish line at 2^nd Avenue and 18^th Street in Rock Island. Vendors will be on hand to provide traditional festival foods as well as sub sandwiches and salads.

Spectators can find parking at the parking ramp at 3^rd Ave and 17^th St. Additional parking can be found at the two big lots on 20^th St. between 1^st and 3^rd Ave.

Teams will compete in 11 different races throughout the day. Each race is customized by gender, age, and ability. The day starts with two juniors races and advances throughout the day.

The men’s feature race moves to 4 p.m. and will have riders from several professional teams, including Jelly Belly, Bianchi Grand Prix and Athletes by Design. The women’s race, starting at 2:30 will have participants from Team Kenda Tire and the Mercy/Specialized. Also, members of the DICE team, a local racing team, will also be competing in several events.

Another new wrinkle to this year’s feature race is the addition of “Hot Spot Sprints”.

“Hot Spot Sprints are three races in a race and will include a total purse of $1000,” Donald L. Miller Jr., race director, said.

“Additionally, juniors ages 10 to 14 will have a separate race. The hospitality tent has been moved to increase spectator viewing on the start/finish line,” Miller adds.

Riders come from all over to compete in The Criterium. While the majority of them hail from the Midwest, this is clearly more than a local race.

“We have had riders from nearly every state in the US, plus riders from all over the cycling world, which generally does not include countries in Africa or Asia,” Miller said.

Returning to defend his title is last year’s Category 5 winner, Derek Cassady of Clinton.

“I believe the best strategy for winning the Quad-Cities Criterium is going on the attack. The course is perfectly suited for the attacking rider with its hour-glass shape that includes lots of corners. If a rider can manage to get some distance away from the field, the out of sight, out of mind mentality can come over the field. This is just the sort of opportunity that an attacking rider can take advantage of and pull off a win.”

Some people, though, are not as willing to talk about their plans.

“That would be telling,” Debbie Dust, of Team Kenda Tire said. “But rest assured, our team has a plan.”

Sometimes, it’s the race itself that attracts them. This is Waukon, Iowa’s Lee Venteicher’s 10^th year racing at The Criterium. Why does he like coming here?

“The best part about this race is that with the corners coming quickly one after another it is hard for the pack to move as efficiently around the course as a single rider. Combine that with an excited crowd lining the whole course and you have a great situation for motivating a breakaway. And, nothing is more fun than a good breakaway,” Venteicher said.

According to The Criterium’s officials, winning requires “tactical skills, bike handling, strategy, sprint speed, and a little luck. Cycling is a team sport that requires the support of the team to win.”

The crowd is the chain that keeps The Criterium moving. Criterium officials say that the participants report that this a favorite event because of the screaming fans. And that’s because of the excitement.

“It’s exciting to watch with the colorful jerseys, getting close to riders and seeing riders at speeds of 35 mph plus. The victories are always tempered with a few crashes. And by the way, no admission charge,” Miller said.

With these new gears, The Criterium may not have to hit the brakes for some time.