Criterium

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It has been suggested that Kermesse (bicycle race) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

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.

Collegiate cyclists take a tight downhill corner in the Boston Beanpot Criterium at Tuft's University

Race length can be determined by a total time or a number of laps, in which case the number of remaining laps is calculated as the race progresses. Generally the event's duration (commonly one hour) is shorter than that of a traditional road race — which can last many hours, sometimes over the course of several days or even weeks, as in a Grand Tour. However, the average speed and intensity are appreciably higher. The winner is the first rider to cross the finish line without having been "lapped."

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 — in particular, the ability to corner rapidly and sharply — and riding safely 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. They are the most common type of bicycle racing in the continental United States. They are also gaining popularity as a format for Mountain Bike events.

1 Equipment
2 Training for criterium racing
3 Further reading
4 External links

[edit] Equipment

Racing bicycles used for criteriums are typically no different than those used in other mass-start road events. However, some criterium racers will choose bicycles with:

a slightly shorter wheelbase for increased turning ability (albeit sacrificing some stability)
forks with less rake (not more than 40mm) for increased turning ability (albeit sacrificing some stability). This may introduce toe-overlap when turning
slightly shorter cranks (less than 175 mm), or a frame with a raised bottom bracket (+10mm) to facilitate pedaling through sharp turns.
light (sub-1200g), aerodynamic and stiff racing wheels, only recently made possible with the development of 60mm aero-section carbon rims from Zipp, Corima, Lew Racing, Carbon Composites and similar.

[edit] 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.

Within the USA, the Men's Field (Pro + Cat 1 + Cat 2, and sometimes Cat 3) generally race together, Cat 3's often have their own races, and Cat 4/5 Men race together. In addition, there are a variety of Masters categories which can be raced. The Women typically have two separate races, the P/1/2 (3) and the 3/4.

The races will also vary depending upon how many people from separate teams enter, which will impact whether it will be a "free-for-all" or a team-focused event.

Experienced and successful riders often spend 15 hours or more training per week, while beginners tend to race with less preparation to gain experience and fitness.

Riders use a range of training equipment:

bicycles
inexpensive muscle stretching bands
weighing scales - for keeping excess body weight down
nutritional databases - eat for body and mind
heart rate monitors - protection against over training, as well as monitoring physical exertion and physical ability left during a training ride or race
power meters - progress monitoring and training development
software analysis
indoor trainers - rollers, aerodynamic, magnetic, fluid, ergo
gym - weights help build fast twitch muscles for sprinting ability and overall strength during base training

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

There are three broad categories for bicycle race training:

[edit] Physiological

increased sustainable power output (that is, below anaerobic heart rate threshold)
muscle fiber usage (Type I, Type IIa, Type IIb)
strength - particularly for hilly criteriums
decreased heart rate recovery time
increased sprinting
stretching
nutrition (diet, weight control)
mind over matter (i.e. pain vs speed)

[edit] Mechanical

minimize rolling weight & resistance (wheels & hubs, tires & tubes)
maximize braking performance (cables, brakes, brake pad compounds, rim surfaces)
aerodynamics vs weight vs course (aero wheels, aero bottles)
minimize frame flex (materials, design and build)
bicycle 'fit' (saddle shape/fore/aft/height, crank length, pedal ('q' factor, axle tilt), shoe size/inserts/cleat position, handlebar height/reach/tilt)
clothing (shorts & inserts, jersey, gloves, helmets, glasses, socks, shoes)
mechanical readiness (gearing, chain, bearings, cables, cleanliness, lubrication, pressures & torques)

[edit] Race craft

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

For the first time rider, race craft may be most determinative of the outcome if one is not strong enough to ride solo off the front of the peloton. In this case, the rider will have to stay in the pack and choose a placement to balance the available energy and strength; the ideal placement is often somewhere between the 10th and 20th rider, which:

guards against being dropped off the back, thus suffering a significant aerodynamic penalty, usually enough to prevent re-integration with the group;
allows for advancement towards the point-winning breaks and positions; and
avoids the "yo-yo" effect that often occurs near the back of the pack, causing needless expenditure of energy as a result of extra braking and acceleration efforts.