One we're missing: Sioux Falls Criterium

[Sal Atticum]

I found out about this yesterday afternoon; too bad we didn't find out about it earlier.

http://www.centralplainscycling.com

Downtown bike race to invade Sioux Falls
Cycling club hosts first-ever Criterium

Dave Martin • [email protected] • August 23, 2008

Competitive bike racers from a five-state area will take over the streets of downtown Sioux Falls on Sunday.

The Central Plains Cycling team - formerly the Brookings Cycling team - is hosting the first state "Criterium," where South Dakota riders will be joined by cyclists from Minneapolis and Kansas City, Mo., as well as Iowa and Nebraska.

Race director Dustin Bakker explained that a criterium (or crit, in cycling language) is a lap race typically run on city streets over a course from 800 to 5,000 meters. The winner is the first one across the finish line after a specified time.
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"Our course is 1.01 miles (1,629 meters), designed with eight corners and then a 11/4-block climb on each lap," Bakker said.

He said the corners add difficulty and excitement as riders navigate the corners, two or three abreast, at speeds of 25-30 miles per hour.

The races, which run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., start at the downtown library parking lot and go north on Main Street, right on 6th, left on Phillips, left on 5th over to Dakota, where riders turn south to 9th for a two-block climb before heading back to the starting point.

There are five racing categories for men and women, in addition to a kids race.

The kids race is a half-mile race, free to any child up to 10 years of age. They must have a helmet and a parent to sign a release waiver. Adult racers can earn prize money totaling $1,570.

Racers may enter up to 30 minutes prior to each event.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/SPORTS/808230305

[Plantains]

Any of the UNDCT members should've been able to see this event on their USAC page. You can select the states that you wish to view the events for and even select e-mail notification.

It might be a good idea to e-mail their EC and see if we can get on board to help out or at least on a mailing list for next year. Plus, if they're looking for more races and we get anything going in GFK (non collegiate races make money) we can invite their crews on up and likely even host them.

We need better coverage amongst local cycling orgs though. NDCF had no mailing about this. Its shocking that SD would have ANY races that wouldn't go out to the NDCF boards. Perhaps we should attempt to bridge the gap?