SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (April 15, 2022) — The Salt Lake City Criterium will be celebrating its third year bringing pro bike racing back to Utah, for a two-day event this summer July 16-17, 2022. The Saturday circuit is the sixth of ten stops on the new 2022 National Criterium Series Calendar entitled The American Crit Cup. Come see the pros battle it out for the chance to gain important points in the series and over $22,000 in cash! Following Utah, the series will head to Chicago, Illinois and a few other stops before the grand finale in St. Louis, Missouri in September to award the $100,000 prize purse!
Day 1 In Salt Lake City kicks-off in the Granary District near downtown and INDUSTRY SLC, with a fast, 4-corner, 1.4 km. counter clock-wise rectangle circuit. The racing starts with amateur categories before the pros take the stage in the evening. Along with Your Favorite Bartender Co., INDUSTRY SLC will be providing an amazing VIP experience from the upper deck of their building to catch an impressive bird’s-eye view of the action.
Day 2 will see a change in location, moving the racers South to Sugarhouse Park, near the Sugarhouse neighborhood. The 1.4 mile rolling course will feature a similar route to a circuit road race, rather than a tight, 4-corner course associated with crits. The location is a long-time favorite of local racers, who will be looking to use their home field advantage after a hard day of racing on Saturday! Sunday’s race will feature additional junior and master categories throughout the day, before the pro men and women take the stage to cap off what is sure to be a thrilling weekend of racing.
“We are excited to bring top level criterium racing to Salt Lake City once again,” said Eric Gardiner, director and founder of the race. “These two new courses will once again create different types of racing each day and test teams ability to control a race. We also hope to spice it up a bit more with a lot more primes than in previous years.”
In 2021, L39ion of Los Angeles swept the podium with Tyler Williams crossing the line on day 1 ahead of his teammates Cory and Justin Williams. Justin continued the team’s momentum into day 2, outsprinting rivals Thomas Gibbons of Automatic Racing, and Travis McCabe of Best Buddies. McCabe has since retired, but we will see if Justin Williams is able to return from an early season injury along with his L39ion team in time to defend his title.
The women’s race was swept both days by Harriet Owen of InstaFund Racing, with Colavita’s Christina Gokey-Smith in second, and Olympian Mia Kilburg of DNA Pro Cycling in third on day 1. Day 2 saw Kilburg move to second with Owen’s teammate Rachael Langdon round the podium in third. Owen has recently signed with Team Wolfpack Racing, who were a force on the crit scene last season. Watch for the Wolfpack to defend the title against rivals from L39ion, to DNA Pro Cycling and others this summer.
The 2022 Salt Lake Criterium registration, sponsors, and schedule of events may be found on our website (www.saltlakecriterium.com) along with information on volunteering and other ways you may become involved in our event.
