News

What an incredible start to Day 1 of the 2022 Intelligentsia Cup! You all made each race exciting to watch with some fantastic breakaways and incredible sprint finishes! 

A few quick notes: 

• Photo albums are posted on the intelligentsia website. You can find them here.  
• We will have 2 albums from each day. A general (which is a collection of photos and videos our staff and volunteers have submitted) and a folder full of professional photos from our amazing photographer, Ethan Glading. All photos are available and free to use, but we ask that you please give credit to Ethan Glading by tagging him on social media. 
• We encourage you to like and follow us on social media as we are posting throughout the race. THANK YOU for tagging us in your stories and posts – these are incredible and you all are the best! 

Tomorrow takes us to Glen Ellyn! For those who are keeping track, this is the start of the DuPage Triple Crown! There will be 3 stages with leader’s jersey awarded after each stage and cash and overall jersey after the final stage (Lombard). 

A few reminders: 

• Please remember to be self-sufficient! We do not have water available for racers. Bring what you need and be prepared. 
• Parking and entry points are best illustrated using the maps from the tech guide and event flyer. You can also view it here. 
• We have plenty of options for food post-race tomorrow, including: Italian ice, hot dogs, and the ever popular Javi’s burritos! 
• There will also be live music on Lake Ellyn beginning at noon as well as a beer garden at Alter Brewing 🍺🍺. 

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow! 

Fear not racers, all your questions can be answered here.

Please read the tech guide, race by the tech guide, and feel free to ask any question that was not answered in the tech guide!

And for those who are still waiting until the last minute to register… just do it!

 The Intelligentsia Cup is thrilled to announce the addition of a new venue for the 2022 race series. The Village of Northbrook is set to join the series and the “Northbrook Grand Prix” will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022. 

“Northbrook is well-known in the local cycling community, and an incredible venue for both racers and spectators” – Marco Colbert, Race Director, Intelligentsia Cup 

Northbrook is home to the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, the 2nd oldest velodrome in the nation, and a diverse community of cycling enthusiasts and competitive racers. The race course for the Northbrook stage is 1.1 kilometers and wraps around Village Green Park, providing the perfect backdrop for racers of all abilities to enjoy the challenge of this fast and fun course. 

“Northbrook has a longstanding history of cycling. Paired with our commitment to innovation, community engagement, and economic growth, the Intelligentsia Cup is an exciting stride forward. We welcome this new event to Northbrook and look forward to seeing it become a cherished tradition.” – Northbrook President Ciesla

We’re thrilled to announce registration for the Intelligentsia Cup 2022 will be opening May 1! Early registrants will receive a 20% discount for a limited time (set to expire May 15).

This year we will have 10 days of racing, and we are adding a new venue to our docket – Northbrook! Northbrook is a cycling haven in Chicagoland and we are very excited to welcome them! Please continue to like and follow us on our social media channels for the most up to date information!

It’s been a minute since we’ve done this (all of us). so please be patient as we remember how to do bike racing, and tell your friends who don’t read these emails what’s up.

Reminder: day-of registration will only be online via BikeReg and will open for that day’s racing each morning, with each category race closing 90 MINUTES before its start time.

Also, the daily flyers and tech guide are posted on the racer info page.

West Dundee

We are kicking things off with the ‘Leg Breaker’ this year … good times! But to be serious, we are excited to be back in West Dundee for a fifth year, and the locals are stepping up their game with a lot of food and fun.

Parking at this venue is mostly in the neighborhood, so please respect any posted signage and requests from the residents. I know we probably don’t need to tell you this, but please ask before setting up a tent, trainer, slip-n-slide in someone’s yard.

Numbers go on the RIGHT.

Glen Ellyn

The Tour of Lake Ellyn is next on our schedule, and is one of the most beautiful settings for a race — and one of the more challenging courses with just about everything thrown at the racers, from sweeping to sharp to 180-degree turns, ups and downs, and even a Euro-style roundabout.

In order to race at this great venue we have to have very specific parking requirements, and we need you to adhere to them in order to be able to return in the future. See the second ‘parking’ map on the venue page. The main racer parking is across the railroad tracks, and is not far from the course (you need a warm-up anyway!). There is also some parking on certain side streets, but be mindful of any posted parking restrictions. Quick load-in for team tents is possible at Hawthorne and Lenox.

Numbers go on the RIGHT.

Winfield

A new venue for us, but will be familiar to a lot of local racers. We are using the south course, but the final four races on the day will be doing a longer version, with even more climbing! You’re welcome?

SCHEDULE CHANGE   Due to an unforeseen circumstance, we have modified the schedule. This will only affect races beginning with the Men Cat 2 and after, with earlier start times. Please check the new schedule.

This venue also has dedicated racer parking, noted on the course map. All parking will be just north of the railroad tracks in the commuter parking lots. Please utilize this parking as the local organizer needs to keep roads open for business access..

Numbers go on the LEFT.

We know you all understand how challenging it is to secure courses and permits, which is why we have these requests; so pretty please, follow the instructions.

Intelligentsia Coffee now has pre-packaged ready-to-drink coffee, and every registered racer will get one when you pick up your number!

Participate in a paid research study about bike racers!

Healthy adults, 18-50 years of age, racing a minimum of five consecutive days or seven total days at Intelligentsia Cup are needed for a research study that is investigating the stress, hydration, and recovery from multiple days of criterium racing.

You will meet with the research team before your first race and after your last race. On completion of the study, you will receive a $20 Target gift card and a detailed report explaining your measurements (body fat percentage, heart rate variability, etc.).

Click here for more information, or contact Samantha Goldenstein at 816-260-9130, sjgolden@uncg.edu.

We are excited to announce the creation of a beginner racer program for women new to bike racing, including coaching/mentoring from elite women racing in the Intelli Cup! Thanks to the support from MiiR and TrainingPeaks. Find out more information here.