Arlington Criterium Bike Race, July 14
June 18, 2009
Arlington Heights is hosting Stage 5 of the U.S.'s largest multi-category cycling event,the 17-day-long Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic™ bicycle race. To see a race like this up close and feel the whoosh of wind as racers pass by at a high rate of speed is quite the experience and it's free!
After a full morning of serious amateur races, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30, the women’s and men’s pro cyclists roll up to the Start/Finish line at 4 p.m. Spectators will be arms-length from world-class, Olympic-level athletes competing for cash prizes and top honors. Racers will come from all over the world, including Taiwan, Columbia and South Africa. It's anticipated that 500-700 cyclists will be competing.
Downtown Arlington Heights will be packed with excitement, and local restaurants and stores will remain open for your enjoyment during the Arlington Criterium. Other entertainment and activities will be planned throughout the day, including a Kids’ Race that will be held at 5:45 p.m., organized by Campbell Street Bike Shop. To sign up for the Kids' Race, visit the Campbell Street Bike Shop at 13 W. Campbell Street, or call them at 847-222-7887.
The Start/Finish Line of the Criterium -- which is a short course usually less than a mile and designed to be used for multiple laps -- will be located on Vail Avenue by the Vail Parking Garage. From the Start/Finish line the course travels north on Vail to Campbell, east on Campbell to Dunton, south on Dunton to South St., west on South to Vail, south on Vail to Grove, west on Grove to Highland, north on Highland to South St., east on South St. to Vail and then north on Vail back to the Start/Finish line.
The Vail Parking garage, parking Lot O (corner of Sigwalt and Arlington Heights Road), the commuter/shopper surface parking lots along Northwest Highway and some on-street parking spaces will remain open.
The Race Schedule:
Race 1, 25 miles Cat 4/5 Men 10:30 a.m.
Race 2, 25 miles Masters Men cat 4/5 11:40 a.m.
Race 3, 35 Miles Masters Men 30+ 12:50 p.m.
Race 4, 35 miles Cat 3 Men 2:25 p.m.4 p.m.
Race 5, 60K Pro 1/2/3 Women 4:00 p.m.
Kids' Races and Local Event 5:45 p.m.
Race 6,100 K Pro Men 6 p.m.
8:30 p.m. Award Presentation
Race Day Sponsors include:
Doubletree Hotel, 75 W. Algonquin and the Bob Rohrman Autogroup at Dundee and Kennicott Ave. in Arlington Heights. Kids 'Race Sponsor:Campbell Street Bicycle Shop, 15 W. Campbell St.
Premium Sponsors: Arlington Heights Ford at 801 W. Dundee; Village Bank & Trust, 234 Northwest Highway; Arlington Park Racetrack, 2200 W. Euclid Ave.; GrooveMaster Graphics in Arlington Heights, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Theatre, 111 W. Campbell St.
In-kind sponsors include: Creekside Printing, Daily Herald, Door Properties, Fast Signs, 1814 N. Arlington Heights Road LLC; Marriott Courtyard South, Norwood Builders; , Oakbrook Corporations, Signs by Tomorrow, 1050 S. Arlington Heights Road, St. Andrews Properties, Stitt, Klein,Daday, Aretos & Giampietro, LLC and Visual Edge Creative Services, 204 W. Wing Street.
Without the support of all of our sponsors, hosting this exciting Race Day event of high-caliber, professional cyclists would not be possible.