Montrose has won the voting for State cyclocross Championships for 2023. Look to their race flyer for State Championship information.
Montrose has won the voting for State cyclocross Championships for 2023. Look to their race flyer for State Championship information.
After a long process we have 2 races that have requested to be the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships for 2023. As such we will post a statement from each race here and open voting up to the teams in Illinois. Each team gets 1 vote. In order to vote a team has to be a currently registered club with USA Cycling. Voting opens 8/14/23 and will close at 5pm on Monday 8/21/23. Votes may be submitted in email to ilcyclingassociation@gmail.com or via the contact form on this site. Please spread the word to all you know.
Option 1 – Pumpkin Hop Cross – Beardstown, IL Oct 7
“Greetings, cycling teams of Illinois and beyond! I’m Nathan Carls, and I’m the race director for Pumpkin Hop Cross in Beardstown, IL. In 2021, we were fortunate to be able to host the state championship races. I was so pleased to have such a great representation of riders from across the state. It was a privilege for me to be able to show and share this event that I love so much with a lot of new folks. We held two days of races, making the trip a little more worth it for those traveling longer distances. This year will be no different, and in fact even better. Night races will be on offer again (after being off for a few years) on Friday evening, followed by full days of racing Saturday and Sunday. We are running October 6th through the 8th this year, on multiple courses, and plenty of race opportunities for everyone! Since 2021 was still a little iffy regarding distancing and such, we didn’t offer food. But last year we brought that back and fed everyone! And our facilities are the tops, as well. Not luxurious, of course, but, “hot showers,” surely says a little something. For lodging, there are several AirBnB properties around, as well as hotels/motels in and around Beardstown (and camping at the park). Last year, I offered a one-price-race-all-day entry fee, and I am working on a similar model for this year, likely a weekend rate. If selected as the host venue for the Illinois State cyclocross championships, those races will be held on Saturday, October 7th. Pumpkin Hop Cross: if you know, you know. If you don’t…you should. Thanks so much for considering adding us to your CX racing schedule for 2023. Be sure to visit the Pumpkin Hop Cross Facebook page and @mid_life_cxrisis on Instagram.”
Option 2 – Montrose Harbor – Chicago, IL Dec 3
“The Montrose Beach CX race committee is asking to be considered for the Illinois State Cyclocross championship event. The event last hosted the championships in 2018. As the largest cyclocross event in the state year-over-year, both by overall participation and by Illinois residents, it is an ideal event to crown worthy champions.
As well, the December date, the week before nationals and the end of the domestic racing season, gives participants a sense of finality to the season. The event itself has both high production value and a challenging course. The natural sand dunes provide a challenge not found at any other venue in the region. Since it last hosted the State championship the event has served as the Midwest Regional championship, and in doing so added a pavement start and expanded the pit to upgrade the racing experience to be in line with international standards.
For these reasons, along with its history as the state championship, the race committee will ensure a competitive and high-quality experience for all racers.”
Voting is now open. Please submit your votes as quickly as possible.
The ICA is currently accepting applications from races to be the 2023 State Championships in the following disciplines:
Cyclocross
TT
Road Race
Track championships will be carried out by the Northbrook Cycle Committee.
If interested please forward on a request to be considered to the ICA at ilcyclingassociation-at-gmail-dot-com
We have so few events events in many disciplines so in the case that there is multiple entries for the same championship consideration we will open up a club/team vote as we have done in the past. That said the ICA board reserves the right to pick by open board vote if the situation necessitates it for reasons such as last minute or other timing issues for situations beyond consideration.
The 2023 Criterium Championships is Cobb Park on July 9 – Gravel will be Little Apple on August 13.
Due to a complete lack of new business, officiating the Skyway and other we are going to cancel the tonight’s board meeting . If you have any business that you would like for the us to consider before the June meeting then please contact us here.
Let’s start by saying that any racing that is planned for 2021 is being done so “tentatively” at best.
State Championships
Applications are now available for 2021 State Championships. If you are interested in hosting a State Championship this year then please apply. The current deadline for applications is by our board meeting on Tuesday March 9, 2021. That deadline may be extended, by discipline, if we don’t receive any applications.
The 2021 Illinois State Cyclocross Championships will be contested on Saturday October 2, 2021 at the Pumpkin Hop Cross (#resurgenCX2021) at Roy Roberts Park, Beardstown, IL 62618. The race is a 2 day event but State Championships will be contested on the first day – Saturday – to help avoid conflicts with Sunday race series out of St Louis and Chicago.
From the promoter – Nathan Carls – “Wheel Fast Cycling Team is privileged to be hosting the Illinois State Cyclocross Championship in 2021 at Pumpkin Hop Cross, in Beardstown, Illinois. The championship races will run on Saturday, October 2nd, the first of two days of racing. In addition to the 6 daytime runnings, Pumpkin Hop Cross has also hosted 4 years of night races, and at the moment is planning on a fifth year! These will commence in the final hours of the day once the sun has set on the State Champs. Free camping will be available at Roy Roberts Park on Saturday night, with racers rising to a new dawn of racing on Sunday the 3rd, when a cross-series day will unfold. Points will be awarded for both the Heart of Illinois Cyclocross Series (HICX), and the St. Louis area-based Bubba Memorial Cyclocross Series. A beautiful geographical mash-up in the heart of our great state! We’re excited and delighted to be hosting the state races this year. And what a culmination this could be, as great promise is in on the horizon. We are full of optimism for the summer and fall months and will continue to persevere. Today’s announcement from the Illinois Cycling Association has just made the light at the end of the tunnel that much brighter!”
Pumpkin Hop Cross was the only application received for the 2020 season and was awarded the Championship then but was not formally announced. Because racing was cancelled last year their bid and award was carried over to 2021.
We need individuals to serve on the State Championship Selection Committee. We need 5. Please let us know by emailing the ICA at ilcyclingassociation@gmail.com
Board Elections
Three years ago the ICA Board split up elections for board positions so that we could eliminate having a completely new board that has to start from scratch after elections. As such 2 of the 5 positions are up for election this year: President – currently held by Robert Curtis, and At-Large – currently held by Chad Briggs. Nominations are open now. Submit nominations in writing to ilcyclingassociation@gmail.com . In order to save time please confirm the individual you nominate is interested in filling the role before you nominate them. Self-Nominations are acceptable. Nominations will be accepted on our monthly call Tuesday February 9 at 8:00pm CST (details– zoom link). Nominations will close by the subsequent meeting – Mar 9, 2021 08:00 PM. Voting – Each team registered with the ICA receives 1 vote for each office. Voting will be conducted the following week and results announced by or before our meeting Apr 13, 2021 08:00 PM.
Robert Curtis is planning to run for the position again but would like to say, “I love the sport and if I’m the best person to keep advocating for it then I am happy and honored to keep doing so. If there is someone out there who can dedicate more time, or thinks they’d do a better job then I’d welcome them to run as well. I want what’s best for all of us whether or not that’s me and I will help make that a reality either way.”
Chad Briggs feels similar about his position, “I would be willing to run again if there are no other candidates. I do enjoy organizing the IL Cup, but willing to defer to someone coming in with new ideas and enthusiasm for carrying that on.”
*** The Illinois Cup is drawing to a close with the last race being the Elgin Road Race which takes place on 7/21 and is a part of the Intelligentsia Cup. Illinois Cup director Chad Briggs took a moment to sum up some of the close competition that is still going on in many of the categories. Stop out and put your best effort in or watch the competition come to a close as we celebrate the season’s efforts with final Illinois Cup Presentations at the Elgin Race in real time. ***
The Jr Boys 17-18 category features a tight race with Alex Tantasook (xXx Racing) and Sam Cummins (The Pony Shop) in a tie for first place with 50 points each. Ethan Hansen and Julian Mejia (Team Veloz), however, are also within striking distance of winning the IL Cup with 36 points each.
The Masters 40-49 category standings are very tight with 6 riders still in contention for the Cup: Jason Knauff (Burnham Racing) is in the lead with 77 points, followed closely by Jose Rodriguez (INTENT, 71 pts), Rick Schopp (INTENT, 66 pts), Mark Nowack (Franco Factory Racing, 61 pts), Nate Iden (Burnham Racing, 58 pts), and Tim Strelecki (Franco Factory Racing, 52 pts).
In the Masters 50+ category, Aaron Katin (Burnham Racing) leads Dean Abt (xXx Racing) by 22 points with 25 points up for grabs to the winner of the Denis Jurs Memorial State Championship Road Race in Elgin.
Three riders are in contention for the Women 4 Cup: Margaret McGill (105 pts) and BFF Bikes teammate Donais Deetz (85 pts) lead, but Jacqueline Wunrow (The Bike Hub) is in a close third with 84 points.
In the Women’s 1/2 Category, Katherine Isermann (PSIMET Racing) has the IL Cup sown up, but there is a battle for the other two podium spots between Francine Haas (PACT, 76 pts) and PSIMET Racing teammates Allison Schroeder (71 pts) and Leah Sanda (61 pts).
The Men’s Category 3 Cup is wide open: First and second place are currently occupied by Craig Kielbasa (75 pts) and Ryan Beeson (University of Illinois, 63 pts), but both riders have upgraded to Category 2 and are no longer eligible to earn points. That leaves the IL Cup up for grabs among three riders who are closely behind: Kurt Druffel (Waukesha Animal Hospital Cycling, 62 pts), Chase Negley (60 pts) and Dominic Lopez (xXx Racing, 56 pts).
The Men’s 1/2 Category comes down to Michael Lanyon (Burnham Racing, 88 pts) and Craig Kielbasa (72.5 pts) who upgraded from Category 3 mid-season and promptly won his first race (the Region Riot Criterium) as a Category 2 rider.
A new system was used to determine our State Championship Criterium. The full explanation as well as all of the votes and comments are included below. To save time the final result is that the Winfield Criterium has won the voting.
Committee Vote (5 votes total): Winfield 4, Cobb 1, Lake Bluff 0
Board Vote (1.5 votes): Winfield 1/2, Cobb 0, Lake Bluff 1
Team Vote (3 votes total): Winfield 4, Cobb 6, Lake Bluff 1
Total vote Count: Winfield 4.5 , Cobb 4, Lake Bluff 1
Continue reading for the full story.
The system of voting used to determine the outcome for the 2019 State Criterium Championships is a pilot program designed to test revising the existing system of selection. Main focus of revision was to achieve the following:
The vote is made up of separate voting structures that allocate points to each race.
Results:
Teams who didn’t vote:
USA Cycling announces Regional Race Director Summits
Colorado Springs, Colo.– USA Cycling announced today the start of a new series of Regional Race Director Summits. These summits, the first two taking place in Chicago Ill., Rock Hill S.C., were created with the goal of making resources more readily available for race directors in the USA Cycling community as well as facilitating networking opportunities with other local directors.
“Race Directors are a vital part of the USA Cycling community,” said Chuck Hodge, Chief of Racing and Events, “We created these regional summits to be able to reach more of our race directors and ensure they are supported and have the resources they need to continue to run top-notch events, as well as provide feedback to each other and USA Cycling.”
Each Regional Race Director Summit will feature several topics, including how to engage new cyclists, the changing landscape of events, working with your local association, risk management, and event planning, safety and guidelines. Speakers at this event will include USA Cycling National Events Staff as well as prominent local race directors in each region, as well as open discussion on a variety of topics.
Regional Race Director Summit Dates:
*Other dates and locations for later in 2019 will be announced shortly.
For more information, please contact Kelly Fox at kfox@usacycling.org
About USA Cycling (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.
USA Cycling is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 1920, the organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling’s 100,000+ members are comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.
You can always check our calendar for upcoming events and races but just in case we don’t have it updated with the latest information you can always check – https://www.usacycling.org/events?state=IL
When possible registration takes place at Bikereg.com – https://www.bikereg.com/events/Illinois-Cycling-Assoc/ILLINOIS/
Sunday, March 31, 20193895 Centerpoint Way
Sunday, March 31, 20193795 Centerpoint Way, Joliet, IL 60436
Sunday, March 31, 2019 – Tuesday, May 14, 2019Labagh Woods, Chicago, IL 60646
Monday, April 1, 2019 – Thursday, April 4, 2019Calumet Park, Chicago, IL 60617
Saturday, April 6, 2019211 West Illinois Ave, Morris, IL 60450
Saturday, April 6, 2019211 West Illinois Ave, Morris, IL 60450
Sunday, April 7, 201915538 Prairie Road, South Beloit, IL 61080
Sunday, April 7, 2019Sylvan Island, Moline, IL 61265
Saturday, April 27, 2019 – Sunday, April 28, 201927576 MaeCliff Drive, Warrenville, IL 60555
Sunday, April 28, 2019Chicago, IL 60640
Saturday, May 4, 20191212 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637 (Midway Plaisance), Chicago, IL 60637
Thursday, May 9, 2019 – Thursday, September 5, 20191479 Maple Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062
Sunday, May 19, 2019201 East State Street, Ofallon, IL 62269
Sunday, May 19, 2019Fox River Grove, IL 60118
Saturday, May 25, 2019 – Saturday, July 20, 2019Northbrook, IL 60062
As a part of determining the 2019 State Criterium Championship venue we have decided to hear form all of the teams. Each club/team that is a member of the Illinois Cycling Association is allowed to vote 1 time. Each club should select one member to vote on their behalf. Usually this should be your club or team president/leader, etc. Your choice.
Below is a brief statement from each venue:
Cobb Park, June 2, 2019. Kankakee, Illinois
The South Chicago Wheelmen are one of the oldest, most respected bicycle teams in Illinois. Many club members have been with the team for 20 years plus. Three members are currently, or have recently, sat on the board of the Illinois Cycling Association. Three members are USAC Officials.
The South Chicago Wheelmen have a long history of hosting bicycle races, averaging four per year: including the two day cyclocross racing at Pheasant Run.
The South Chicago Wheelmen have hosted many State Championship races in their long history: including the first National Cyclocross Championship in 1963.
The South Chicago Wheelmen have cultivated an excellent relationship with the community surrounding Cobb Park. Many homes turn the event into a holiday and have large parties and cheer on the races. Former Governor George Ryan lives on the course.
Cobb Park is a lovely park alongside the Kankakee River. It has many amenities for the whole family making it an ideal place to spend the day.
The .7 mile course is mostly oval with a few “narrowing” spots on the backside. It is not overtly technical. It is, essentially, a racers course which favors the strongest rider of the day. It offers few places to hide and cannot be finessed. To win at Cobb Park, one must be the best rider of his category: making it an ideal course to crown a State Champion. “
Lake Bluff – July 27
Thank you for the opportunity to state how holding the 2019 ICA IL State Criterium Championships in Lake Bluff, IL on Saturday, July 27, 2019 would be good for Illinois bike racing. As you know, the Lake Bluff event is part of the Intelligentsia Cup series. Here are some of the benefits of the Lake Bluff venue:
The Lake Bluff racecourse is tried and true. Several NCC/PRT events have been held on this course. It is a fast, challenging six-corner course – worthy of the state crit championships.
The Lake Bluff event draws an average of 4,000 to 5,000 spectators each year in good weather, with many lawn parties around the course. A big, lively crowd of spectators makes for better bike racing.
Holding the state crit championships near the end of the crit season is an advantage in that competitors will be in good racing shape then.
Ample food and beverages (ie, beer) will be available in the vibrant Block Party area in Lake Bluff adjacent to the racecourse and live music is also scheduled there after the racing. Kids and adults will enjoy BMX stunt rider Chris Clark who will do several shows in Lake Bluff. So, competitors and family and guests will all have a good time.
Truly excellent first aid facilities are provided at the Lake Bluff venue by Northwestern Medicine, including experienced ER doctors and nurses.
Holding the state crit championships in Lake Bluff serves the Illinois cycling community by providing nearby access to many Illinois racers who live in the Chicago Metro Area and northern Illinois.”
Winfield Criterium – Sept 7
Founded over 37 years ago, Athletes by Design originally focused on the development of young junior riders but has now grown to include riders of all ages and abilities, including paracycling.
We host several events throughout the year beginning in January with our indoor time trial series. We also host a 3 day criterium series specifically geared towards masters racing on memorial day weekend, an end of season series known as fall fling which runs over two weekends and includes a circuit race, two criteriums, and a time trial; and our Sunrise park cyclocross race which has been a staple of the Chi-cross cup series for over 10 years.
Our biggest race of the season however has always been the Winfield criterium. For the past 21 years it has been a staple in the Chicagoland area’s road racing calendar and brings to the table a proven venue and top notch production, as well as an ability to integrate riders who are traditionally ABR Criterium racers into the mix as well.
Tied into the Winfield Good Ole Days festival, the Criterium is one of several attractions that brings out crowds and participants of all ages. It’s the perfect backdrop for hosting the State Championship and exposing the community to competitive cycling.
The course itself is very different than the flat, four corner crits commonly found in the Chicagoland area. Consisting of 9 corners, a moderate uphill on the front section of the course, and a fast winding descent before the flat and wide open finishing straight a racer at the Winfield criterium must bring more than just big sprinting legs to the table if they want to win.
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood just east of Oakwood park in Winfield the course offers minimal traffic, ample parking, public transportation from the Winfield Metra station which is located less than a mile from the course, multiple different viewpoints for spectators, and the park itself makes the location extremely family friendly. Families living in the neighborhood have taken a liking to the race as well, often inviting family and friends over to barbecue and watch the race.
Strategically placed on a Saturday the first weekend in September it will be a perfect ending for many rider’s road season or tune up for final races like the Gateway cup. Not being a part of a series also allows us an opportunity to focus on elevating the prestige of each individual State Championship victory.
Please take a minute and vote. We wish to receive all votes by March 22, 2019
Team votes can be placed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/87KQQQP