Explore the cycling action from May 2026 including race previews, interviews, and Pavé Liga standings
The Challenge Cup's opening race kicks off this at Glencoe Grand Prix. Team matchups are now live, and directors must submit their six-rider lineups by Thursday midnight. Submit rosters directly to Pat McNally or through the Google Drive portal. Missing the deadline means we'll randomly select from your USAC team roster.
Nikki Cyp serves as the Professional Support Director for Glencoe Grand Prix, managing logistics for both men's and women's professional fields. As part of the USA Crits Series and NCC Calendar, GGP hosts the Midwest's largest single-day professional field for both genders. On race day, Nikki ensures smooth operations across the entire event.
How did you get started in the cycling world?
I've been officiating in Chicago for approximately six years. While I don't compete personally, I certainly enjoy recreational riding. My involvement with Glencoe began as chief judge during the inaugural two seasons. My media connections with professional riders led to my current role managing professional support operations.
What's the history behind this event?
We're celebrating our seventh year. After a long partnership with AT&T concluded last season, we established an excellent relationship with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute as our new title sponsor. Their focus on athlete rehabilitation and conditioning makes them an ideal partner. We remain committed to supporting the Glencoe Educational Foundation, with proceeds benefiting local schools including Sheridan Elementary and Kilmer Elementary. We schedule the event during the school year so professional riders can visit students and discuss the sport.
Describe the racecourse layout and what competitors should anticipate.
We operate two distinct courses: a traditional four-corner, 1.3-kilometer morning circuit for the initial races (Cat 5, Juniors, 45+, 30+ 4/5, HC, and youth categories). Mid-afternoon, we transition to the extended 10-corner, 2.1-kilometer loop featuring a descent and challenging hill on the back section. This course hosted the 2010 National Championship and delivers excitement beyond typical regional criteriums. Community support has been exceptional.
Tell us about your sponsorship partners and their connection to cycling.
Illinois Bone and Joint maintains strong community presence. We wanted to emphasize our local character and showcase our exceptional race environment. As part of the NCC calendar and in our third USA Crit series year, we gain national visibility while highlighting what makes our racing special: dedicated support, experienced officials, and an outstanding organizing crew. Additional sponsors include First Bank of Highland Park, BTIG, Oppenheimer, Jefferies, 312 Brewery, Cantor Fitzgerald, Alberto's Cycles, Barclays, Chase, and Liquidnet.
For Challenge Cup competition, each team selects six scoring events against their opponent. Teams may designate six different riders or have individuals score across multiple categories. You must specifically identify riders and events - for example, Pat McNally in 30+ 1/2/3. Team rosters are due to @paveliga or email Pat McNally by Thursday, May 29th at midnight. Teams not submitting rosters will have riders randomly selected from USAC licensing records. Victory goes to the team with the highest combined points using PL scoring system.
The next Pavé Liga event is Fox River Grove Criterium this Sunday, May 18th. This notoriously demanding race features the region's most challenging minute-for-minute course. Rob Curtis, Race Director and PSIMET Wheels owner, shares insights about the FRG Crit:
Share your cycling background and how you became involved in race promotion.
I began riding in the late eighties after a back condition ended my soccer and baseball participation. My doctor approved cycling as one of few permitted activities. Around that time, Andy Hampsten won the Giro, and I discovered that iconic snow-covered photo of him crossing the Gavia in a magazine. That single image captured my lifelong passion for this sport. I keep it displayed next to my wheel-building station.
My first USCF license dates to 1992. I returned to racing after college in the early 2000s, joined Bicycle Heaven in 2008, and quickly became their team manager. By 2010, we established our own team under my recently launched PSIMET wheel company. I took over Fox River Grove, added Woodstock cross, then Elgin criterium and Norge CX. This October brings a new duathlon: Run and Roll the Dole in Crystal Lake. Racing demands have reduced my personal competition to mainly track and cyclocross.
PSIMET sponsors four other events annually, plus the Vanderkitten Pro Women's Cycling Team and individual racers including Laura Van Gilder, Chad Hartley, Samantha and Skylar Schneider, Jessica Cutler, Kelly Fisher-Goodwin, Starla Teddergreen, and Wayne Simon. We support local teams like Intelligentsia and xXx Racing. We recently returned from Joe Martin Stage Race where our elite women's team, primarily Chicago-area riders, competed in the NRC pro stage race with complete mechanical and management support.
What's the race history?
RDS Racing originally organized this criterium. I registered in 2009, heard rumors about a ski jump and hill, and couldn't pre-ride the course. After the first turn, everything changed. David Fowkes mercifully pulled me within a few laps from both my races that day.
When RDS announced cancellation in 2011 citing sponsorship issues, I recognized this unique venue's value. Losing venue access for even one year often means permanent loss. Most municipalities scrutinize race permits, and a year's gap invites difficult questions about community benefit.
Wayne Simon, Scott Knoepke, and I met with RDS offering race funding. They requested additional compensation for their time, which isn't financially viable for race promoters. After disappointment and drinks at the Public House in Woodstock, we decided to approach the city directly for permits. The Village responded positively, the cycling community supported breaking even that first year, and the Village designated us as permanent promoters based on our successful debut.
Two years ago we added Elgin Cycling Classic the day before, creating an omnium. This format rewards the strongest all-around racers in both technical and climbing criteriums. Our overall omnium winners consistently validate this approach.
This course has a reputation - describe what racers face.
It's challenging and unique. While moderate compared to top national crit courses, it's not in most local riders' comfort zones. Honestly, racers aspiring to regional or national competitiveness must race and excel on courses like this.
Many newcomers don't realize a full Nordic ski jump sits in suburban Fox River Grove. This race climbs the ski jump's back side - a brutal effort that peaks as riders crest the top and descend through a fast, technical neighborhood section. Some descend wide open without braking. After a brief easy rise and short run to the finish, the ski hill climb starts again.
Race durations are slightly shorter than normal, reflecting the intense effort required.
Who are your primary sponsors and how do they support cycling?
PSIMET, LLC provides primary sponsorship. Since 2009, I've built custom wheels through PSIMET, focusing on getting riders appropriate wheels for their applications at approximately half typical market prices. We love this sport and want customers benefiting from our experience and sourcing expertise.
Lucky Brake Bicycles from Crystal Lake provides neutral support. Co-Owner Karrie Ozyuk has been active in the racing community for years. Major financial backing comes from AmericaOne Bancorp (patron Raviv Wolfe), TRO Manufacturing (patron Scott Sanda), and Tradesmithe (patron Bill Stritzel).
What would make this year's race ideal?
Ideal for me means beautiful weather and safe, challenging competition. For racers, the best stories often come from opposite conditions. Best case: we host a party disguised as a bike race where all the enthusiastic participants bring their friends.
Registration is open at BikeReg through Thursday, May 15th.
We're entering the heart of racing season. Mark your calendars and secure those weekend passes.
Week 2 Team Championship Standings are now available on the Pavé Liga Standings page. We apologize for delays, but we depend on USA Cycling results publication. We're working to obtain results directly from Race Directors. Processing the data proves surprisingly complex - data quality truly matters!
The Urbana Grand Prix presented by Scarlet Fire Racing takes place this Sunday, May 4th at Crystal Lake Park, 206 W Park St, Urbana, IL (map location). The 1.6-mile lakeside circuit features winding roads and a 200-meter climb peaking at 5% approximately 100 meters before the finish. While it's a big-ring power climb, expect it to impact race dynamics and final sprints. Most racers can compete twice with a $10 discount on their second entry. Facilities and venue quality will be among the season's finest.