Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Leonardtown Criterium

Leonardtown Criterium 2012

MABRA Crit Championship
Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

A Portion of the proceeds to benefit:
Special Olympics of St. Mary’s County,
Leonardtown Fire Department
and Leonardtown Rescue Squad

What is a Criterium? A Criterium, or “crit” for short, is a race held on a short closed-circuit course. A crit emphasizes acceleration and bike handling as racers ride laps around the course. It is ideal for spectators and can be very exciting to watch. This year, the Leonardtown Crit will again be the Criterium championship for the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association. MABRA is the regional group responsible for bike racing in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.

The Leonardtown Crit course is ideal in length and configuration. The racers get a great 3-turn course - a .7 mile, flat, triangle in the downtown part of Leonardtown. The start/finish line is right in the middle of the square. Racers proceed down Washington Street towards the water and down a slight hill into what is affectionately termed “The Turn” - a 120-degree turn that abruptly transitions from down to a slight uphill right onto Lawrence Avenue in the apex of the turn. The big ring climb then opens into a broad straight away past the Leonardtown Fire Department. Two 90-degree turns onto Shadrick Street and back onto Washington Street then bring the course towards the start/finish line.

Residents and business owners should note that the race course itself will be closed to traffic between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, but people will be able to get around Town. Spectators can park in the public lots behind The Hair Company and Corner Critters. Restaurants will be open, and the Pax Velo team will be providing music and race announcing throughout the day. The race will be held rain or shine. Children’s bike and trike races will be held at 11:45 AM.

The official start times, categories and prize money are now out. Go to http://www.paxvelo.com/ to download event flyer with schedule.

Registration opens at 7:20 AM and closes 15 minutes prior to each event. All riders must have a USAC racing license. One day License applications will be available at registration desk on race day for Cat 5 Men or Cat 4 Women only (One Day licensees are not eligible to win the championship). Pre-registration is encouraged (online registration closes 5/31/2012 @ 9 PM) and must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2012. Please use 2012 USAC Standard Release. Add $5 for race day registration. Add $5 unattached rider fee (excluding Men Cat 5 and Women Cat 4). Entry fee for a 2nd race is $10. Online registration is available for an additional fee at Bike Reg. There are no refunds.

Go to http://www.paxvelo.com/ to register for event.

Send pre-registration checks to Patuxent Velo, ATTN: LTC, PO Box 678 Patuxent River, MD 20670 (301-904-1715). Direct questions to Steve Whetstone, 301-904-1715 or email LTC@paxvelo.com.