What is Criterium Anyway?

Bicycle racing takes on many forms depending on the type of bicycle and the intensity of the race. Perhaps one of the most intense and spectator-friendly forms of road bike racing is the criterium – or crit, as it is called in cycling circles.

Criterium racing is fast paced, exciting and non-stop action from start to finish. Far be it from an extension of road cycling, this closed-circuit racing is a different beast altogether and requires a unique set of skills to be successful.

Criterium, or Crit racing is used to describe a short form of bike racing usually conducted around 1 - 2km closed circuits and is either based on total distance or time. Races based on time usually include a set number of laps to finish, for example a 45-minute race plus two laps.

Due to the shorter duration, crits are more intense and faster than road races and require a different set of skills primarily based around cornering, positioning and sprinting.