Behind the Scenes: Bob Lund on Directing the Wood Dale Criterium

Written by Ralph Schroeder

The upcoming marks another edition of The Wood Dale Criterium, which will host the Illinois State Criterium Championship. As one of the longest-running criterium races in the Midwest, this event holds a special place in local racing history. We sat down with race director Bob Lund to discover what makes this race so enduring.

Chicago Cycling Events: Thank you for organizing another fantastic year of the Wood Dale Criterium. Can you tell us how long this race has been running?

Bob Lund: The original Wood Dale Criterium launched more than 25 years ago, organized by Greg Bagni and Redline Racing. Redline Racing established itself as one of the dominant cycling clubs in the Midwest during that era, with multiple members representing the region at World Championships and Pan Am Games. Many founding and early members of Redline remained involved in organizing this event throughout its history.

WCC: Redline Racing - I remember competing against those riders back in the nineties and early two-thousands.

BL: Redline Racing, which was sponsored by Village CycleSport in Elk Grove, Illinois, eventually evolved into the Village/Verdigris racing team, with sponsorship from both Village CycleSport and Verdigris Homes.

WCC: This event serves as the Illinois State Criterium Championship, correct?

BL: Yes, exactly. We've received excellent support from ABR this year, who has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of the original Wood Dale Criterium. This race has served as the ABR Illinois Crit Championship continuously since 1995.

We're hoping to see the 2025 champions return to defend their titles. Past winners include 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: Can you describe the course layout and what racers should expect tactically?

BL: The original course remains in use today. It measures 0.7 miles with wide roads and features one climbing section on Mittel Drive, Pond Drive, and Wheat Lane within the Oakwood Industrial Park in Wood Dale, Illinois. In recent years it's been referred to as the Wood Dale South Course. The only time we used the North course was during road reconstruction. The course has a flowing design with just two technical corners - one before the climb and one after - followed by a 250-meter sprint to the finish line.

WCC: Thanks Bob - we really appreciate all your hard work on this event!