Journal Correspondent

One of the largest purses for a bicycle competition in the Midwest will be awarded during the main attraction of this weekend's Arlington Classic Critierium. The race is scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 2 in the Arlington Heights Central Business District during the "Men's Pro Category 1 / 2" at 1:30 p.m. This race will feature professional riders Kenny Labbé and Robbie Ventura of the world-famous U.S. Postal Team.

The downtown Arlington course will have eight tight turns and a wide, straight finish line sprint that is approved by U.S.A. Cycling, which is the national sanctioning body for bicycling racing. More than 400 cyclists are expected to compete for the $20,000 prize.

The course starts on Evergreen Avenue by North School Park and goes north to Fremont. From there, riders will race west to Dunton where they will go south to St James, west to Vail, South to Eastman, east to Dunton, south to Miner and then east to Evergreen where they will finish the race heading north to North School Park.

The Arlington Classic Critierium will host a variety of races all day Saturday with categories that include both adults and children.

The day starts with the "Citizen Men / Category 5" which begins at 7 a.m. Following this, the "Juniors, 17 years old and younger" race begins at 7:40 a.m., and there are many other competitions. The children will race on the same course as the professionals. All of the children compete for free. To participate, riders must register at www.arlingtonbikerace.com or www.active.com, or on race day up to 30 minutes before the posted race start. All participating children will receive a finisher medals.

For more information about the Arlington Classic Criterium contact Karen Stoychoff Inman at 847-392-9545. The Arlington Classic Criterium is located at North School Park which is at Evergreen and Eastman west of Arlington Heights Road, just north of the Metra Northwest Line in Arlington Heights.