Highlights of next year’s series include a new stop in Glencoe, Illinois for the Glencoe Grand Prix, the 10th anniversary of the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational and the 30th edition of the Chris Thater Memorial in Binghamton, New York. Other events include beloved races such as the Terrapin Athens Twilight Criterium, Tour de Grove, and the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium. The combination of these and the remaining events on the calendar will culminate with the return of the USA CRITS Finals in 2013 to Las Vegas!
“The Series brings together a combined tradition of racing totalling 150 years of this uniquely American style of bike racing.” says USA CRITS founder Gene Dixon. “The events feature eight exciting nighttime races plus the former National Championship venue in Glencoe and the 30th Chris Thater Memorial.”
While all of the 2013 season’s events are also part of USA Cycling’s 2013 National Criterium Calendar (NCC), Dixon explains why the races of the USA CRITS Championship Series stand out among other cycling events in the nation.
“We are excited about being able to bring a strong focus to 10 of the 41 outstanding race days that make up the NCC. With all our events placed within the NCC schedule, the Series now allows consistent access to USA CRITS events to teams that traditionally have not focused on criterium racing. This just furthers the development of new icons within our sport.”
In addition to separate cash purses awarded at each event, men and women riders in the USA CRITS Series accrue points towards individual and team classifications. The Series’ points leaders will wear the Champion System Orange Jersey of the overall leader following each race, with the final winners crowned in Las Vegas.
And although the USA CRITS Series will crisscross the nation, cycling fans the world over will be able to enjoy all of the action and excitement from race to race thanks to live streaming coverage sponsored by SmartStop Self Storage.
“SmartStop Self Storage supports a healthy and active life style,” says Michele Cataldo, VP Marketing-Self Storage. “We have employees who participate in the sport as well as those who enjoy it as a spectator. The cycling sport is such a fantastic team effort that brings the team to victory, much like our SmartStop Self Storage work ethic. Bringing the “live streaming” to http://www.smartstopselfstorage.com will give customers a close glimpse of the action and excitement that this sport has to offer.”
Now in its seventh year, the USA CRITS Championship Series has brought the thrill of bike racing to some of America’s most flourishing downtown districts. It’s a unique opportunity to get a close look at both world and national champion-level athletes while they navigate the intricacies of a closed circuit course at high speeds right in the heart of a vital urban setting.
Stay tuned to USACRITS.com for all the latest information regarding the 2013 Series throughout the season.
2013 USA CRITS Championship Series
March 9: Old Pueblo Grand Prix, Tucson, Arizona
March 23: Delray Beach Twilight, Delray Beach, Florida
April 13: Presbyterian Hospital Invitational, Charlotte, North Carolina
April 27: Athens Twilight, Athens, Georgia
May 11: Tour de Grove, St. Louis, Missouri
June 1: Glencoe Grand Prix, Chicago, Illinois
July 6: Iron Hill Twilight Criterium, West Chester, Pennsylvania
July 13: Exergy Twilight Criterium, Boise, Idaho
August 25: Chris Thater Memorial, Binghamton, New York
September 20: USA CRITS FINALS, Las Vegas, Nevada
