Images: Courtesy of RHC

Race Posters: RHC/Jonah Birns, Rocco Malatesta

Trimble Racing and Elita Milano are proud to announce the 3rd annual Red Hook Criterium Milano to be held on Sunday, October 14th at 3pm.

The Italian version of the world's premiere track bike criterium returns once again to the streets of Milano. The race will consist of 100 elite road cyclists, track racers, bike messengers, and urban athletes competing over 22 laps. The technical nature of competing on a track bike requires competitors to possess both street tuned handling skills and a high level of strength and fitness. Riders are confirmed from 14 countries promising a thrilling show for the thousands of spectators expected to line the circuit.

In coordination with Sunday October 14th's designation as a "car free day" the city of Milano has awarded permits and cooperation to realize the dream of organizing this race in the city proper. This race will be an important demonstration on what is possible in urban areas around the world.

We are proud to announce a strong lineup of sponsors with Cinelli, Castelli, Giro, San Marco, SPY, Dodici, Ciclistica, F-punkt, and Iridefixed Modena providing support and custom Red Hook Criterium prizes and merchandise. Media partners providing exclusive race coverage are Prolly is not Probably, Milano Fixed, Lucas Brunelle, Enciclika, Gage + Desoto, and Peloton Magazine.

The race is being organized in collaboration with the Bicycle Film Festival which brings the together a cohesive weekend of events. From October 11th-14th Tortona will become a center for films, alleycats, art-shows, parties, bmx contests and the Red Hook Criterium Milano.

The race headquarters located are inside Ex Ansaldo at Via Tortona 54. This space in conjunction with Bicycle Film Festival activities will offer a level of infrastructure and festival atmosphere never before experienced at the Red Hook Criterium. Final race schedule and event map will be posted at www.redhookcrit.com For more information on the Bicycle Film Festival please visit bicyclefilmfestival.com.

DATE AND CIRCUIT CHANGE NOTES:

We are aware that the tradition of the late night race is being changed. Our first objective was to secure permits for a race on Saturday night in Tortona but these efforts, which remain a goal for next year, proved impossible this year. The late afternoon light will offer a new opportunity to experience and document the race in great detail. In addition the collaboration with the Bicycle Film Festival is important and separating these two events between different areas of the city would be a mistake.

We are aware of the potential travel difficulties this change presents and will work to alleviate these issues as much as possible. Any rider who can not adjust their schedule to compete on Sunday will be given a refund and free entry into next year's race.

ABOUT THE TORTONA CIRCUIT:

The Tortona circuit achieves a balance between high speed sections and technical corners. The course begins with three fast 90 degree corners before ripping around a traffic circle. The battle for position through this section will be critical as it leads directly towards a dramatic 180 degree hairpin. This corner promises to be the most difficult corner in the history of the race. Riders will slow drastically to navigate the hairpin and then be forced rebuild this speed with a sharp acceleration towards the back side of the traffic circle. The final corner is a gentle left hander which opens up towards the finish line. The proximity of the hairpin to the finish line will create a lap that is aggressive as positioning at all times is critical.

More information: Red Hook Criterium