Menzies (3rd), Huff (1st) and Clarke (2nd) hamming it up before the Chicago Crit podium presentation – all ride SRAM RED

The official podium at the 2009 Chicago Criterium – all SRAM-equipped athletes

Chicago result same day as Tour de France podium sweep

The Chicago Criterium took place this past Sunday for the second time in beautiful downtown, taking riders on stretches of historic Columbus, Michigan Ave, Balbo, and Jackson, directly in front of Buckingham Fountain. Perfectly warm weather with some mild winds greeted riders throughout the day on a course that featured small climbs that, at days end, amounted to some significant altitude.

“America’s Best Criterium” had packed fields and crowds estimates around 5,000. The prize purse for the event was over $35,000, making it one of the richest and most hotly contested races in the US.

SRAM was everywhere on the day, with more than 50% of the bike spec in the majority of the fields. Juniors rolled off at 7am and racing concluded with the Pro Men taking the line at 2:20. SRAM-equipped teams included Astana, Kelly Benefits, OUCH, Fuji Servetto, and Fly V Australia.

The Men’s race was a mixture of attacks early on with Kelly Benefits taking control on the final six laps, keeping the pace high butting letting primes go. The final lap disrupted that train and the final sprint turned into a melee to get out of the final turn clean. Jelly Belly’s Brad Huff attacked on the third turn and came out solo, looking back with time enough to celebrate. Fuji Servetto’s Hilton Clarke followed, and the then powerhouse Kerl Menzies (OUCH) took the final podium position.

Just like the Tour de France earlier that day, a SRAM sweep.