Without a doubt these races stand as the crown jewels during the cycling season. Designed to be prime examples of their respective disciplines, the championship courses are challenging and exciting, to say the least. Teams and riders will throw everything at these races, where reputations can be cemented instantly and a win can be paydirt for a sponsor.
A win earns the winning rider the right to wear the championship jersey for the coming year and of course includes a suitcase of bragging rights. The competition is intense and though only Illinois-registered cyclists are eligible for the state title, an opportunistic out-of-state rider will often try for the upset. Every year these races never fail to deliver some of the best racing to be had.
State Championship categories clarified – All disciplines will reference this structure unless otherwise noted.
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Cat 3 State Champion (Men & Women)
- Winner determined by the Cat 3 or Cat 3/4 race field.
- Race Director discretion if they want to host a Cat 3 field only event.
- Minimum 5 person field to qualify as state championship.
- Winner determined by the Cat 3 or Cat 3/4 race field.
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Cat 1/2 State Champion (Men & Women)
- There is both a Cat 1 and Cat 2 state champion.
- Winner determined by the Pro/1/2/3 race field or equivalent.
- If there is a Cat 2 only field(or Cat 2/3 field) that race will host the Cat 2 state championship.
- Minimum 5 person field. If that threshold is not meet, there will be only one winner in a combined Cat 1/2 state championship field.
- Masters Men & Women
- Age ranges can be broken down at the discretion of Race Director.
- ICA Recommends 40+/50+/60+, but field sizes should cause changes as needed.
- Masters can be raced as one race, but seperate age podiums.
- If minimum is not met, state championship categories will be combined.
- Juniors
- Age ranges can be broken down at the discretion of Race Director.
- ICA recommends 2 junior age ranges.
- 9-14 and 15-18. Both boys and girls.
- Juniors can be raced as one race, but with separate podiums.
- No field minimum.
- Gravel
- Only one elite men’s and elite women’s winner.
- Masters and Juniors to be separated out.
- Masters and Juniors categories for State Championship is at the discretion of Race Director.
- TT
- Separate categories for TT style bikes and road bike “Merckx style” event allowed at Race Directors discretion.
- CX
- CX Race Directors can add championship categories for Single speed and other break out categories.
- MTB
- MTB categories subject to MTB series categories.
- Race Director and ICA will determine State Championship category eligibility jointly.
- Minimum 3 person field.
- Track
- Track State Championships are subject to Northbrook Cycling Committee decisions.
State Championship Results by Year: Google Doc
2026 State Championship Schedule
Ed Rudolph Velodrome
TBD