In February, Davis was a host city for the Amgen Tour of California. The nine-day race received widespread attention because of the presence of Lance Armstrong and three-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer. The event reinforced Davis' reputation as one of the most frenzied bicycle cities in the country.
Today, Davis hosts a far more quaint but traditional event, the 33rd annual Fourth of July Criterium – a 0.7-mile, L-shaped looped course that ends at Third and F streets. Twelve races and a non-competitive children's fun ride are scheduled. The event's signature race is the men's Pro Elite 1/2, which begins at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Robin Rolles, in his second year as race director, said registration is slightly down this year, although many of the top names are expected to appear. A similar criterium this weekend in San Luis Obispo could be having some effect on Davis' event.
Rolles, who participated in the criterium once and has been a volunteer since, said the Davis event is different from others.
"It's a downtown criterium, and that's part of what is so great about it," he said. "A lot of criteriums have been moved to corporate business parks."
Rolles said some of the bigger names who have registered include Rahsaan Bahati, a 2008 national criterium champion who recently won his third consecutive Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.
Sacramento's Chad Gerlach is scheduled to race, too. Gerlach, 35, is a former homeless man and drug addict who became sober with the help of friends and family. He won the overall title in Northstar at Tahoe's Tour de Nez and was fifth overall in the Nevada City Bicycle Classic in late June. That event was won by Armstrong, who stunned organizers with a last-minute entry as a tuneup for the Tour de France.
The men's Pro Elite race carries a prize of $1,975. The winner of the women's Pro Elite race receives $1,500.
The criterium also is a good test for up-and-coming cyclists such as Sacramento's Keith Hillier. He belongs to the Davis Bike Club Racing Team, a subgroup of the Davis Bike Club that boasts about 500 members and is host of today's event.
"It's a good race," Hillier said. "I like the downtown atmosphere of Davis. It's fun when a lot of people yell your name."
Hillier not only raced in Nevada City but in last weekend's Cytomax Benicia Criterium. John Murphy edged Gerlach for the title in a race that included disgraced former Tour de France champion Floyd Landis.
The Davis Bike Club also is gearing up for Monday's Gold Rush Randonnée, a 750-mile ride from Davis to near the California-Oregon border. Rolles said about 16 DBC members will race in today's criterium.
Rolles said last year's criterium pre-sold out with 25 cyclists on the waiting list. As of Thursday morning, 56 cyclists had pre-registered for this year's race. Rolles expects between 4,000 and 6,000 spectators.
"I'm really proud of our event," Rolles said. "You're able to walk around downtown, and the streets are lined with people all day. It's really one of the classic races left."
DAVIS CRITERIUM
• What: 33rd annual Fourth of July Criterium.
• When: Today, 7:15 a.m.; last race, 4:35 p.m.
• Where: Davis, 0.7-mile, L-shaped course, finish line at Third and F streets.
• Host: Davis Bike Club.
• Information: www.dbcraceteam.org.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.