Tag: 2021

We are excited to reveal our full lineup of venues and other details of this year’s series!

But before we get to that, we want to thank you for your patience and understanding this year. Not to belabor the point, but it has been a lift. Of course, there is always going to be some level of uncertainty, but our ongoing consultations with health experts and recent announcements from local authorities, gives us confidence in proceeding.

Some things will be different for this year, and others will be missing, but that we are happening at all is … well, you get the point.

Now, on to the good stuff.

Schedule

A lot of changes in our schedule, including the two new venues joining the series — Winfield and Mundelein — but also some shuffling of days, and with a day off on Wednesday.

Race Categories

Speaking of changes, have a look at our daily racing category menu:

Yep, some changes in there too. We consulted both previous entry data and various stakeholders in making the above changes, and we believe the changes will give something for everyone and enhance the racing.

Registration will be opening soon, and we will have a lot more information on our web site in the coming weeks.

Now for some messages from our sponsors. Please consider supporting those who support bike racing.

What a difference a year does (and sometime does not) make. Twelve months ago we were scratching our collective heads, wondering what the future would bring, both for bike racing and the world as a whole.

Fast-forward to now and a lot has changed. While we are still faced with levels of uncertainty, the latest guidance and trends are giving us cautious optimism for the summer, and we are hard at work making plans to race come July! 🤞🤞 But everyone plays a role in this effort, so keep wearing your mask and get the vaccine when you become eligible.

It’s clear many of you are eager to get back to racing (if our social media and email inboxes tell us anything). Of course there will be differences to the usual way of doing things to ensure the safety of participants, officials and the public at-large. We are consulting with USA Cycling and our local health officials to follow best practices, and we ask you to bear with us with these changes.

New venues

Speaking of changes, one of the big announcements is that two new venues are joining the series — Winfield and Mundelein.

Local racers will know the Winfield Criterium as it is a long-standing event, previously run by the Athletes By Design club. This year is the Village of Winfield’s centennial and as part of its celebration is taking over as host of the event.

“In addition to the centennial we are very excited for Winfield to join the Intelligentsia Cup as the Winfield Criterium and Summerfest,” said incoming Village president Carl Sorgatz. “In addition to top-flight bike racing there will be food vendors, family-oriented events, and raffles with prizes!”

And to answer our local racer’s likely question: they’ll be using the south race course with the fast finish line alongside Creekside Park. Giddy up!

While we were all in limbo last summer, representatives from the Village of Mundelein were already looking ahead to better days and reached out to us about adding a series stop in their northwest suburban town. We headed out there and, socially distanced, scouted a fast and fun course. A few meetings later and Mundelein is excited to be joining the series with a weekday race venue.

“We are delighted and honored to welcome the Intelligentsia Cup community to Mundelein,” said Mayor Steve Lentz. “We’ve planned a full day of activities and really look forward to showcasing everything Mundelein has to offer.”

Be on the lookout for the full series venue line-up announcement coming soon, as well as other exciting additions to the series for 2021. Online registration will open in mid-May!