About the Stifel Nicolaus Edwardsville Rotary Criterium

The Stifel Nicolaus Edwardsville Rotary Criterium is a fast-paced, pro-am bicycle race held in Downtown Edwardsville, Illinois on Saturday, August 18, 2012. The course features seven turns, a picturesque historic downtown setting and lively spectators.  USA Cycling permit is 2012-2790.

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What is a Criterium?

A criterium, or ‘crit’, is a bicycle race held on a short course (usually between 0.5 and 2.0 miles in length) and often run on streets in the heart of a city center. Race Length is determined by total time or number of laps.

A criterium’s duration is shorter than that of a traditional road race and the average speed and intensity of a Criterium are appreciably higher. The winner is the first rider to cross the finish line without having been “lapped.” Criteriums also offer smaller cash prizes (called primes, pronounced “preems”) for winning specific laps. Criteriums are the most common type of bicycle racing in the continental United States.

Where is Edwardsville?

Edwardsville, Illinois is a city of 25,000 people located high atop the Mississippi River bluffs just 20 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. It is conveniently situated off I-270, I-255 and I-55. Edwardsville is approximately 4 hours south of Chicago and 2 hours north of Carbondale, Illinois. Edwardsville is the seat of government for Madison County, Illinois and is the home of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Where can I get the best photos?

Anywhere along the race route, but the best place would probably be on Main Street near the Start/Finish Line.