What Is a Criterium (Crit)?
Published by My Mind is Racing
A criterium — almost always shortened to crit — is a bike race held on a short closed-loop circuit, typically a kilometre or less per lap. Riders cover a set number of laps, or race for a fixed time plus a final few laps, on a tight course that they pass again and again. The repetition is the point: crits are compact, fast, and unusually easy to watch, which is why they are a fixture of town-centre and weekend race series.
Race format
A criterium is decided over many short laps rather than one long route. Most crits are run as a fixed time — say 30, 45, or 60 minutes — after which the officials signal a set number of bell laps to the finish. Shorter or junior categories race for less time, while elite fields go longer. Because the circuit is closed and lined with corners, the bunch stays tight and the pace rarely settles: it is a race of constant accelerations rather than a steady grind.
What makes a crit different
The course is what sets a criterium apart. A typical circuit packs four or more corners into a kilometre, so handling, positioning, and the ability to surge out of every turn matter as much as raw endurance. Riders fight to hold a good position near the front, since drifting back means braking and re-accelerating through each corner and burning matches just to stay in contact. Cornering at speed in a dense bunch is the signature crit skill, and a clean, confident line through a turn often counts for more than top-end power.
Primes
Many criteriums run primes (pronounced "preems"), mid-race sprints for a prize on a nominated lap. An official rings a bell to signal that the next time across the line wins the prime — which might be cash, merchandise, or a token prize — and the pace lifts as riders contest it. Primes keep a long crit lively, reward riders who may not win the overall, and give spectators a reason to cheer on laps well before the finish.
How a criterium differs from other formats
A criterium is just one shape a bike event can take, and it helps to know the neighbours:
- Road race — a longer event on open or point-to-point roads, often with sustained climbs. Crits compress the racing onto a short circuit, trading distance and elevation for repeated cornering and accelerations.
- Time trial — a solo race against the clock with riders set off at intervals and no drafting. A crit is a mass-start bunch race where tactics and positioning decide the result.
- Gran fondo — a long, mass-participation timed ride for all abilities. A crit is short, intense, and category-based competitive racing rather than a ride you pace yourself through.
Is a crit right for you?
If you like punchy, repeated efforts and want to develop bike-handling and pack skills, a criterium is one of the most accessible ways to start racing: laps are short, the start and finish are in the same place, and most series run separate beginner and category fields so you race against riders of similar ability. Distances, lap times, and category rules vary by event and by region, so check the specific race details before you enter. If you would rather cover long distances or climb at your own pace, a road race or gran fondo may suit you better.
Notable criteriums
- Columbus Criterium Series (Hilliard, Ohio)
- Connecticut Masters' Games Criterium (New Britain, Connecticut)
- Mid-Atlantic Regional Criterium Championships (Hagerstown, Maryland)
- Preston Street Criterium (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Midweek Crit Series (Mississauga, Ontario)
- Glenvale Criterium (Musgrave, Victoria, Australia)
Upcoming races
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 7:10 AMSee full details
CRCA Grant's Tomb Crit (2026)
REGISTRATION
Registration starts at $45 and increases to $55 two weeks out. Register early to save money! Race multiple times for just $20 each additional field. Day of registration $60 cash (additional fields still $20). Collegiate/U23 racers can use "CRCAU23" for 50% off registration
Special thanks to the New York State Bicycle Racing Association (NYSBRA), for their continued support of CRCA and New York bicycle racing.
NEUTRAL SUPPORT PIT
Technical support at the race will be provided by Inerro, the Upper West Side's premier bike shop at 173 W 81st St.
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Coming Soon!
WEATHER POLICY
CRCA Events are always rain or shine. However, in the event of nearby lightning, the race will be stopped for 15 minutes and either restarted or extended for another 15 minutes until no more lightning strikes. Our event schedule will continue as originally posted, regardless of pauses for lightning. Should a field have their time cut due to lightning, participants will receive race credit for a future CRCA event for the value of their race.
COURSE MAP
View on Strava
PAYOUT
For Elite Men P1/2/3 and Women P1/2/3 pay $2000/10 deep with the following schedule:
400/350/300/250/200/150/125/100/75/50
INCLUSIVITY
Century Road Club Association and all of its events are a safe and inclusive space for all. Discrimination or harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law will not be tolerated at our events or in relation to our events. Please do not plan to attend if you cannot follow this simple code of conduct. CRCA’s full inclusivity statement can be found here: https://www.crca.net/who-we-are#inclusivity
Thank you to our Sponsors!
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 1:05 PMSee full details
The Hyde Park Blast Criterium is the biggest day of competitive criterium racing in the tri-state — drawing hundreds of riders annually to the streets of one of Cincinnati's most iconic neighborhoods.
Racing runs all day on a fast, technical circuit through Hyde Park Square, culminating in the Pro Women's & Men's race under the lights in front of thousands of spectators. This is a finish-line atmosphere unlike anything else in the region.
In case you need another reason to sign up, the Blast is also the 2026 Ohio State Criterium Championship (category only i.e. non-Masters and Juinors races).
CALL-UP NOTE: All call-ups are done strictly by order of registration. Register early for the best staging position. It can make a difference in the fast first few laps of your race!
Women Cat 4 in W Pro/1/2/3 Race: Category 4 women who finish in the top 5 overall in the morning 3/4/5 race are eligible to race in the Women Pro/1/2/3 evening race (registration payment required).
THE COURSE An explosive, punchy criterium course through the tree-lined streets surrounding Hyde Park Square. One short, tight ascent per lap. Sprints out of every corner. Open enough to produce fast finishes.
BEYOND THE RACE The Blast is a full day, not just a bike race. Events kick-off first thing in the morning with a 4-mile run/walk and kids fun run. By afternoon the block party is in full swing with beer, wine, food, and live music from 4 PM. The crowd buildings all day culminating in the evening Pro Women race, elite 5K run on the crit course, and the Pro Men finish under the lights.
The Blast has collaborated again with Cincinnati's own Fifty West Brewing to brew an official Hyde Park Blast beer, details to be released soon. Leading up to race day, one dollar from every pint sold at Fifty West's Burger Bar benefits The Cure Starts Now. It'll be pouring in the block party all day.
THE CAUSE The Hyde Park Blast is a 501(c)3 charitable event that has raised over $600,000 for Cincinnati cancer charities since 2001, including The Cure Starts Now. Your entry fee and your presence on June 27th are part of something bigger than the race.
PARKING Team parking permits available for purchase. Street parking and paid lots nearby — arrive early.
MORE INFO hpblast.org
Course Map
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
ENTRY FEE POLICIES
REFUNDS: There are no refunds of entry fees should the event be cancelled. A reason for cancellation includes, but is not limited to; weather related emergency, a late breaking change in the state guidelines pertaining to COVID-19, or restrictions imposed by the county health department.
COURSE CHANGES
We reserve the right to make course changes, up until race morning to improve the athlete experience or for the safety of the athletes competing.
WEATHER CHECK: Please be sure to check the NOAA weather page for updates
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Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 12:00 PMSee full details
Velo Promo, Golden Chain Cyclists Present
the 48th annual
Watsonville CRITERIUM
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Date: Saturday June 27, 2026
Under USAC rules and permit 2026-15957
Location: California at Brewington, Watsonville, CA
Registration: Opens at 11 a.m., closes 15 minutes before each race start. Registration on Brewington Ave, at 312 Brewington Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076.
Directions: Take Hwy 152 east from Hwy 1 or west from Hwy 101 (Gilroy) to the east side of Watsonville, where 152 is Lake Avenue. Turn north on Brewington, two blocks to the course.
Course: Same as in the past; a 0.75 mile loop of smooth pavement, with many turns, dips at the corners and a small hill to the finish line. Streets: Brewington, Cerritos, Rogers, Oregon, Hill, California, Brewington. Free Lap Rule in effect; Pit at Oregon & Brewington. Start on Brewington at California; Finish at top of hill on Brewington
Events: minutes places value fee start limit
Category 4& novice 50 6 $100 $50 12:00 50
Mstr50+ 1/2/3/4 50 6 $100 $50 1:00 50
Master 35+ 1/2/3 45 6 $100 $50 2:00 50
Local Kids Challenge*** 1 lap all 0 $0 3:00 50
Master 60+ 45 6 $100 $50 3:15 50
Wm 1/2/pro &3/4/5 &40+ 60 6 $200 $50 4:05 50
Cat 1/2/3P** 60 6 $200 $50 5:05 60
**Separate prizes for Cat 3
*** Parent/guardian signature required for all children participating in the free non-compe-
titive Local Kids Challenge. Helmets required.
Prizes: merchandise, gift certificates, cash and tee shirts. (40%+ cash in $100+ races)
How to Enter:
---via On-line at www.bikereg.com (https://www.bikereg.com/watsonville-criterium) from today to June 21, 2026 for above fees plus on-line surcharge. From June 22 to June 24 the fee on-line is $15 additional. No on-line entry after midnight PST Wednesday June 24. You may need to sign and date your entry form/release at race registration desk. Race Day registration will still be open, as long as the fields are not full.
---By Mail: You may still enter by mail, but if a group is filling, go on-line. By mail, send standard USAC entry form/release along with fee above (if Postmarked by Friday June 19 to Velo Promo/Watsonville, 19780 Soulsbyville Road, Soulsbyville, CA 95372. For those postmarked after, add $15. Note: indicate what category you are entering on check or form. Entries for several races in one envelope ok, but be sure to list race names on the outside. Envelopes without names of races on the outside may go to the wrong race. Mail in entries will not be processed until after the opening of online reg.
---At Race: You may enter at the race, provided your event is not filled, for the above listed fee plus $15.
----2^nd race available for $20
2026 USAC license required (available at race). One day licenses are available only for Novice riders . Entry fees include $3 NCNCA and $5.99 USAC insurance surcharges. Numbers will be provided.
Credit for another VP race will be given if you follow the below procedure by 5 pm Wednesday 7/2 letting us know that you can't compete. No credit issued if you plan to enter another race instead; no cash refunds. No substitutions (transferring to another rider) for cancellations. Procedure: Go to "Edit My Entry" link on the BikeReg.com registration page, in your confirmation email, or in your BikeReg account to access this credit system.
Champion Discounts: Champions pay normal fees up front; Current NorCal/Nevada District Criterium Champions and National Criterium Champions will get a refund at the reg desk of all but $9 per day if 1) their entry is received by the deadline above (otherwise they pay full fee, including late fee) and 2) they ride in the category they won the championship in (Master Champions may ride down in age, and ride for $9, and Juniors may ride up. District jersey is not required
Further Info: Velo Promo, (209) 604-1354; [email protected] (best) www.velopromo.com https://www.facebook.com/VeloPromo?ref=nf
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a criterium?
Most criteriums are run for a fixed time, commonly 30 to 60 minutes, followed by a set number of bell laps to the finish. Junior and beginner categories race for less time and elite fields for more, so check the specific event for its duration and lap count.
What is a prime in a criterium?
A prime, pronounced preem, is a mid-race sprint for a prize on a nominated lap. An official rings a bell to signal that the next rider across the line wins it, which might be cash, merchandise, or a token prize, and the pace lifts as riders contest it.
How is a criterium different from a road race?
A criterium is decided over many short laps on a closed circuit, usually a kilometre or less, while a road race is a longer event on open or point-to-point roads with sustained climbs. Crits trade distance and elevation for repeated cornering and accelerations.
What bike do you need for a criterium?
A standard road bike in good working order plus a helmet is enough for most criteriums. There is no special equipment requirement beyond what road racing normally calls for, though many series require a racing licence and a category entry.
Are criteriums good for beginners?
Yes. Laps are short, the start and finish are in the same place, and most series run separate beginner and category fields so you race against riders of similar ability, which makes a crit one of the more accessible ways to start bike racing.
How do I find a criterium near me?
Use our event listing filtered by the Criterium tag to see upcoming crits by location and date.