Road cycling may come in many different forms; Time Trials, Stage races, one day classics, pursuits, criterium and kermesse racing. Keeping this in mind, it is understandable as to why you might not know all these different forms. This article will give detail regarding the latter 2 forms of road cycling mentioned in our list; criteriums and kermesses.
By definition, a criterium is a lapped race which takes place on a closed circuit. Essentially this means that riders will race around and around on a tarred track. These races are flat and fast, with lots of high speed turns. All the fun is normally over after about 45 minutes.
criterium work in either 2 ways; a scratch race or a points race. The first format of this race takes the form of a scratch race. This concept is pretty easy to understand. The first rider across the line on the end of the last lap takes the win, followed by second and third. With a points race it gets a bit more complicated. The first rider who crosses the line first on each lap will receive 3 point, doubled on the last lap for 6 points, with the second and third rider receiving 2 and 4 and 1 and 2 respectively. Some criterium work with points on each lap with others working on awarding points on every fifth lap.
While criterium racing has a huge following in America, the same can not be said for it in South Africa. To date, there have only been a few small criterium held; including the Century City Criterium, the National Criterium Racing Series and the one 947 Ride Joburg race. The 947 Ride Joburg Race had not planned on the format being carried out as a criterium, however the entire globe was shocked with COVID-19 which heavily impacted the sports world. Riders entered Steyn City Estate ready to take on this new form of the 947 Ride Joburg.
One of the benefits of Criterium racing is its spectator friendly nature, which could definitely aid in boosting the popularity of cycling in South Africa. in 2017, more than 15000 spectators gathered in Texas to watch the Red Bull Last Stand Criterium Race, exposing so many new people to the art of cycling (Purs, 2017)
Now comes the confusing bit, understanding the difference between a criterium and a kermesses. Essentially, a Kermesse merges your standing road race with a criterium to produce a race which takes on a longer distance than that of a criterium but a shorter distance than that of a road race. The terms Kermesse and criterium are often used loosely and in place of one another (Miu, 2019)
With the introduction of the Vaal Triangle Cycling Club (VTCC) Criterium, we are hoping that the criterium culture is on the increase.
Purs, R., 2017. Why are so many people getting into criterium racing?. [online] Men's Journal. Available at: <https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/why-so-many-people-are-getting-into-criterium-racing/
Miu, R., 2019. Road race, criterium or kermesse: what's the difference?. [online] B Grade Cyclist. Available at: <https://bgradecyclist.com/racing/road-race-criterium-kermesse-difference/
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