Lakewood Criterium Rolls Again

According to Race Director Brian Limkeman, The biggest change in the Lakewood Criterium this year is that it's starting later.

That means racers and crowds alike can expect more of what they saw last year, only better for having the experience of the race's first year behind them.

The peleton will snake its way around the same winding, one-mile loop in Lakewood's Scenic Park neighborhood. It's a fast course, with several interesting turns, including a very fast downhill right hand turn from Sloane Avenue to West Clifton. It's expected that once again the neighborhood will be enlivened by house parties along the route to help cheer the riders on.

Racing starts at 3 p.m. with Junior and Category 5 riders. There are also races for Masters, Cat. 4, women, kids, and community participants. The main event —a race for the top level amateur riders in Categories I,II, and III—starts at 7 p.m. And will end at approximately 8:15.

As far as race favorites, there's no telling who will enter yet, as registrations have just begun to trickle in. Will last year's winner Chris Uberti from Panther / BP competitive Cyclist return to defend the title? Will Team Spin rider Thom Dominic, who finished third last year, make a run at first place? Organizers won't know until the registrations roll in.

If overall leaders in the 2012 Westlake Criterium series offer any clue, look for strong performances by Aaron Cruikshark of Carbon Racing, his Carbon team mate Shawn Adams, Cleveland Clinic / RGF / pb Felt rider Dave Chernosky, Lake Effect Cycling's Rudy Sroka, and Lakewood's own Spin / RR Donnelley rider Rob Thompson. All held top rankings in the overall points competition of the weekly Westlake criterium series, which means that into June they made consistently strong showings on another fast, mostly flat criterium course.

Local teams to watch include Carbon Racing, Cleveland Clinic / RGF solutions, Lake Effect Cycling, Team Spin / RR Donnelly, Panther p/b Competitive Cyclist, Scum City Racing, WASLABS, Pista Elite, and Stark Velo. All those teams are comprised by riders from Northeast Ohio and sponsored by local and national companies.

RACE SCHEDULE

Time Category Duration Prizes/places Entry fee

3:00pm Cat 5 / Junior 2 30 minutes Merch / 5  $20

3:45pm Master 35+  45 minutes $500 / 8 $30

4:45pm Cat 4 45 minutes $500 / 8 $30

4:47pm Women 35 minutes  $400 / 8 $30

5:45pm Community Fun Challenge 3 3 laps Awards / Merch. $10

6:25pm Kids (age 6-12) 4 1 lap T-Shirt (for first 40 registrants) Free

7:00pm Cat 1/2/3 75 minutes $1,000 / 15 $35