"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - What is the differance between a Criterium and a Road Race?

I just want to know the the differance between a crit and a road race is. I think a Crit is a set course with several laps?
Thanks for the information

A crit is a short closed course, usually with lots of turns, and several laps.

A road race is either point to point or a large circuit, sometimes with multiple laps.

Crits often include primes(sp?) (sprints mid race where the winner gets some small, relative to the first place finish, prize) I don't think road races usually have those.

Crits are small loops (less than a mile) with four or more cornors, and most are fairly flat. They are generally shorter events compared to road races. In Crits bike handling skills and sprinting ability are the two most important things. Road races are larger loops (bigger than a mile, but normally a bit bigger). Also road races are generally hilly and longer events (severial hours). In a road race climbing and time trialing (to create a break) are the two most important skills, although you still need to be able to sprint to win. Hope this helps.

-Matt-

That help clear it up for me thanks.

What are normal didtances for crits and RR.
Thanks

Originally posted by rgaldes
What are normal didtances for crits and RR.
For both, it varies with different classifications. Cat 5s & Womens Cat 3/4 typically are the shortest, Mens Pro/1/2 the longest. (Fields are grouped differently for different events, but you get the idea...)

I don't know that much about crits, other than they tend to be shorter, and are often based on time rather than distance... i.e. run laps 'til the time runs out. Crits also have other unique rules, like a free lap for a mechanical or flat, and rider expulsion after going 1 lap down (possibly to help prevent too much help for a team leader by team members riding slowly... 'I think I'll drop back and block for Tom').

Typical US regional road race distances seem to run from ~30 miles for Cat 5 & womens 3/4 to 60 or 70 miles for Pro/1/2. Lots of things factor in. Multi-day events, larger draw, higher purses, regional or national visibility events will be longer.

While y'all are answering questions, I always wondered what a kermesse is. Any answers?

difference b/w road race and crit? the amount of road rash.

While y'all are answering questions, I always wondered what a kermesse is. Any answers?

I wondered the same, so remembered this thread when I found this article:
http://www.webcorcycling.com/Herk-de-Stad_Race_Report.html.
Sounds like a good time, for racers and spectators.

Also has some more-frank-than-usual comments on doping than you usually hear from a pro cyclist.

If you ever go the the Tour, look for a listing of the kermesse's that will be done by various top riders, including the champion. There are several that invite top riders who then ride against the best locals (national locals, not town locals, like Lance riding against some CAT I/II riders) at these parties. It's pretty cool and a chance to see some world class riders in a more intimate environment.

How about someone explains all the diffent types of races (track too)? There must be some people round here that have no idea what the rest of us are talking about :)

Speaking of crits, why does no-one use motor racing curcuits (or do they)? They seem perfect, all you have to do rent out the track for the day (a bit expensive maybe), but you could have TTs and crits and 1 lap sprints and all sorts all in one day.

Speaking of crits, why does no-one use motor racing curcuits (or do they)? They seem perfect, all you have to do rent out the track for the day (a bit expensive maybe), but you could have TTs and crits and 1 lap sprints and all sorts all in one day.

They do. In Los Angeles, they had a series last year at the Irwindale Speedway and I read an article somewhere that the Infineon in Oregon is going to have a race.

They do that in Nashua, New Hampshire too, though it goes off the normal track for part of the race

I read an article somewhere that the Infineon in Oregon is going to have a race.
Infineon, the raceway formerly known as Sears Point, is in Cali. There's going to be an event there in May, put on by the same people that do the Sea Otter. Although, it may be like the Sea Otter... based all around the track, but doesn't use it.