USA Cycling has announced that the 2010 Professional Criterium National Championship will be held in the northern Chicago suburb of Glencoe, Illinois on Saturday, August 14. The event has historically been held in Downers Grove, but 2010 will see a break in the 24-year tradition and the obvious change in course. The marquee event that decides the wearer of the “Stars-and-Stripes” jersey will also see a change. Organizers will run the race on Saturday rather than the usual Sunday slot. AT&T will be the title sponsor at its new Glencoe location.
“At AT&T Illinois, we’re proud to actively support events and initiatives that enrich and strengthen our communities. That’s why we’re so pleased to support the AT&T USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship at the Glencoe Grand Prix,” said Paul La Schiazza, President of AT&T Illinois. “At AT&T, we’re in the business of connecting people, everywhere they live and work and doing it better than anyone else. The Glencoe Grand Prix as part of this national championship is a special event that connects people and participants from throughout the country and throughout our state with the welcoming Village of Glencoe. We’re extremely proud of our partnership and look forward to welcoming the cycling community to Glencoe and Illinois for what promises to be an exciting event.”
Situated on Chicago’s North Shore, Glencoe is approximately 15 miles north of downtown Chicago and 26 miles from Downer’s Grove, where the event had its 23-year run. The new neighborhood is no stranger to hosting bike races though, with it being home to the Glencoe Grand Prix, which has been organized by the Glencoe Educational Foundation for the past three years. The charitable organization supports schools in Glencoe.
“The Foundation, along with the Village of Glencoe and AT&T, are thrilled to help host this year’s USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship,” said Jon Knouse, President of the Glencoe Educational Foundation and Race Director of the Glencoe Grand Prix. “Bringing the national championship here to augment the GGP is a great honor and we know the entire Glencoe community will welcome the cycling community with open arms and a big red carpet.”
One thing that isn’t changing is the event’s long-time promoter, Special Events Management. They will be working closely with the Glencoe Educational Foundation to bring a new level of professional bike racing to the Glencoe community. Special Events Management has produced the USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship since 1987. Although not national championship events this year, there will be continued strong support for a professional women’s race, as well as a race for elite riders that are at the top of the amateur ranks.
“We are proud to be working with USA Cycling again to produce for the 24th consecutive year, this national championship event,” said Hank Zemola, CEO of Special Events Management. “Our skills and experience producing some of the best professional bike races in the USA fits nicely with the enthusiasm and support coming from the Glencoe Educational Foundation and the Village of Glencoe.”
The AT&T USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship is part of the USA Cycling Professional Tour, which is a men’s-only, season-long calendar to determines the best professional rider and team on American soil. It is also one of 16 national championship events that USA Cycling endorses across five disciplines of cycling for various divisions of amateurs and professionals.
“We look forward to Glencoe and a new course for our fastest and most exciting road national championship,” said Sean Petty, USA Cycling chief operating officer. “We also appreciate AT&T’s support of this great event and we’re confident Special Events Management will continue to organize a first-class event.”
Photo: Special Events Management