Criterium

A criterium, or crit, is a type of bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city centre streets. The length of the race can be determined by a number of laps or a total time, in which case the number of remaining laps is calculated as the race progresses. Generally the event duration is shorter than that of a traditional road race (commonly one hour), though the average speed and intensity are appreciably higher. The winner is the first rider to cross the finish line, but events often have prizes (called primes, usually cash) for winning specific intermediate laps (for instance, every 10th lap). Success in criteriums requires a mix of good technical skills to turn quickly and ride with a large group on a short circuit and exceptional fitness to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners.

Criteriums are relatively easy to organize and do not require a large amount of space; this may be why they are the most common type of racing in the continental United States.

Equipment

Racing bicycles used for criteriums usually have a shorter wheelbase (for fast, quick turn-ins), and may have slighty shorter cranks (less than 175 mm) to enable pedaling through hairpin bends. Aero bars are not permitted in criteriums because the cyclist has less control of the bicycle in the aerodynamic position.

Training for criterium racing

Criterium racing places considerable stress on bicycle and rider for any given race, however the pace and training requirements vary depending upon the classification.

Within the UK UK Elite and Cat 1+2 riders generally race together and Cat 3+4+W separately, however individual events will vary.

The races will also vary depending upon how many people from individual teams enter, which will define if it is a free for all or a team focused outcome.

Winning riders can spend more than 10 hours per week training, beginners often race with less preparation to gain experience and fitness.

Riders use a range of training equipment:

inexpensive muscle stretching bands
weighing scales - why carry around extra pounds
nutritional databases - eat for body and mind
heart rate monitors - protection agains over training
power meters - progress monitoring and training development
software analysis
indoor trainers - rollers, aerodynamic, magnetic, fluid, ergo

Criterium race training requires specific training to boost power output and minimise heart rate recovery time, as well as sprinting capability, general stamina, race craft and mechanical preparation.

There are three broad categories for training for road races:

Physiological

increased sustainable power output (that is: without using anerobic heart rates)
decreased heart rate recovery times
increased sprinting
stretching
nutrition (race diets, weight control)
mind over matter (pain vs speed)

Race craft

bike handling skills (cornering, sprinting, climbing)
tactics (safety, overtaking, drafting, blocking)

Mechanical

minimise rolling resistance (tyres, hubs)
minimise rolling weight (rims, tyres, tubes)
maximise braking performance (cables, brakes, rim surfaces)
aerodynamics vs weight vs course (aero wheels, aero bottles)
minimise frame flex (frame materials)
general mechanical readiness (bike setup)

For the first time rider race craft may dominate the outcome if they are not strong enough to ride out alone off the front of the group. In this case the rider will have to stay in the pack and choose a placement to balance the available energy and strength. The placement would also have to guard against being dropped off the back behind someone or half of the wrong bunch in a bunch split.

Circuits

Australia - Gold Coast Nerang Velodrome
Australia - Brisbane Nundah Criterium Circuit
UK - London - Crystal Palace
UK - Milton Keynes - Milton Keynes Bowl
UK - London - Eastway Cycle Circuit

External links

Cycle racing

Kriterium | Kriteerium | Criterium (wielerwedstrijd)