Welcome to Northbrook Grand Prix criterium races, Day 7 of the 10-day Chicago Grit series taking place throughout Chicagoland.

Criteriums – also known as “crits” – are exhilarating bike races consisting of several laps around a closed circuit. Today’s course is a 1.1 km (.75 mile) loop through downtown Northbrook. It will typically take under 2 minutes per lap, thus making this a fun sport to watch!

The length of each race has a set time based on the age and skill level of the riders. Riders are graded from beginner or novice to professionals. USA Cycling uses category numbers from Cat 5 to Cat 1.

The winner is the rider crossing the finish line first at the end of each race. In addition to the prizes awarded to the top finishers, there Primes (pronounced “preems”) are mini-prizes for the first finisher of specific laps during a race.

Listen for a bell to be rung to announce a Prime, to create excitement for that lap.

We encourage you to wander the entire course to witness the views of the different turns and straightaways. It’s thrilling to watch the riders as they work together in groups to draft (and save energy), attack to accelerate quickly to breakaway from the group, and other tactics like blocking and sprinting to the finish line!

COURSE MAP

Note: there are six crosswalks with course marshals. For your safety, and the riders, please follow their instructions on when to cross.

We welcome everyone to explore the many shops and dining options in downtown Northbrook.

A special “thank you” to all the residents and businesses along the course! Their support allowed us to close off the streets and set up this one-day event.

And a special thank you to all the volunteers and event personnel – without whom today’s event would not have been possible.