August 2026 Archives

As , August 9th approaches, we're gearing up for the Wood Dale Criterium, hosting the Illinois State Criterium Championship this year. This iconic Midwest event has been a fixture on the racing calendar for decades. We sat down with race organizer Bob Lund to discuss what makes this race special.

Chicago Cycling Events: We appreciate your continued dedication to organizing the Wood Dale Criterium. Can you tell us about the event's history?

Bob Lund: The Wood Dale Criterium was launched more than 25 years ago through the efforts of Greg Bagni and Redline Racing. Redline was a powerhouse team throughout the Midwest, sending athletes to international competitions including World Championships and Pan American Games. Core members from that original squad have stayed involved with race organization over the years.

WCC: Redline Racing brings back memories from the racing scene in the 90s and early 2000s.

BL: Exactly. Redline Racing, supported by Village CycleSport in Elk Grove, eventually evolved into Village/Verdigris racing team, with sponsorship from both Village CycleSport and Verdigris Homes.

WCC: This year you're hosting the Illinois State Criterium Championship.

BL: That's right. We've maintained strong partnership with ABR, which has been crucial for keeping the Wood Dale tradition alive. This race has served as the Illinois Crit Championship since 1995.

We're excited to see whether last year's champions will defend their jerseys. The roster includes Tim Clark, Marian Kielar, Bob Burns, Bob Beck, Nancy Beck, Pat Beam, Gerald Beam, Ashley Korol, Kate Isermann, Fernanda Guzman, Joan Hanscom, Marilyn Powell, Jack Thompson, Sean McCarthy, Nick Adler, Carlos Guzman, Danielle Krebs, Gary Doering, Todd Metz, Elliot Paine, Danny Mackey, Brian Karlow, Andrew Rizzo, Brian Ellison, and Fernando Barraza.

WCC: What should racers know about the course and race strategy?

BL: The original 0.7-mile circuit remains intact, featuring wide roads through the Oakwood Industrial Park along Mittel Drive, Pond Drive, and Wheat Lane in Wood Dale. Sometimes referred to as the South Course, it includes one climb followed by sweeping turns - just two main corners to navigate. After the second corner, riders face a 250-meter sprint to the finish.

WCC: Thanks for your time and dedication to the sport!

Outstanding racing opportunities await this weekend. On , August 9th, don't miss "The Original" Wood Dale Criterium, which doubles as the Illinois State Criterium Championship. The course delivers fast racing with wide-open corners and competitive fields. Download the flyer here. Sunday, August 10th brings the Villa Park Grand Prix presented by RDS Cycling. Now in its third year, this race has built strong community support and earned positive reviews from participants. Registration deadline is Thursday - view the race details.

The 2026 Intelligentsia Cup Prairie State Cycling Classic has concluded. We're joining everyone in congratulating Marco Colbert and his organizing team for delivering an exceptional Chicagoland series that continues to improve each year. The Prairie State races significantly reshaped the Pave Liga Team Rankings. Notable movements include WDT Allvoi climbing seven positions from 16th to 9th, EMC2 jumping from 22nd to 15th (up seven spots), and Intelligentsia advancing four places from 10th to 6th. Following a brief break, we'll return to complete the final races of the Pave Liga season.