Elbows Out and Eyes Up: Reflecting on the Criterium Championship — and the Chaos to Come
If the climb reveals character and the time trial exposes discipline, the Criterium Championship lays bare a rider’s instincts. Fast, unforgiving, and relentlessly tactical, the crit has been the most volatile discipline in the SISU Racing Club Championships since day one and it’s only getting sharper.
The inaugural 2023/24 Championships lit up the buzzing streets of Glasgow, where tight corners and constant accelerations rewarded riders with nerve and finesse. A year later, 2024/25 turned the screw again on Makuri Islands’ Castle Crit - no easier, no quieter, and no place to hide. Pack speed was high, mistakes were costly, and every lap demanded full attention. In both seasons, the message was clear: in the crit, hesitation is fatal.
Those editions crowned a formidable set of reigning champions. In the men’s grades, Martin Mathiasen (A, Denmark) showed once more why he’s one of the most complete racers in the club. Dennis Ariens (B, UAE) mastered timing and positioning, while Andy O'Neill (C) proved that race IQ can trump brute force. In D and E Grades, Mike Seymour (USA) and Allan Crew (USA) thrived amid the chaos. On the women’s side, crit excellence belonged to Mona Kangasniemi (C, Finland) and Jess Galatro (D, USA). The question heading into this season is irresistible: will they be back to defend their titles?
For 2025/26, the Crit Championship steps onto a new stage: Avon Flyer x 8 laps in New York. Fast, furious, and relentlessly tactical, Avon Flyer brings pure criterium chaos to the streets of New York. Expect tight racing, constant accelerations, and decisive moments in the blink of an eye. Positioning is everything, and only the sharpest racers will survive the speed and sprint for glory. This is a course where the pack never truly rests—and neither can you.
Points in each grade will be awarded as follows;
FAL (First Across The Line) at Centre Sprint at the end of laps 2, 5 and 6 to the first 20 riders
40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.
The first 20 riders in each grade across the line at the end of the race will be awarded
250, 240, 230, 220, 200, 180, 160, 140, 130, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10.
Powerups - Draft, Ghost, Aero.
Events will be held in multiple time zones with the total points determining the Club Championships (should there be a tie on points, the fastest time will determine the winner).
It’s also worth remembering the wider championship context. Elsewhere in the series, the championships turn uphill on Stay Put Pursuit, where raw watts meet resolve. That climb is a proving ground - no hiding, just sustained effort and inner strength. Gaps open quickly there, and contenders must dig deep to stay in the GC fight. The crit, by contrast, is where time and points can be gained or lost in seconds making smart racing here absolutely critical.
From a coaching perspective, success in the crit follows a simple but demanding playbook. Positioning beats power: stay in the top 10–15 wheels without surfing the front - you want options, and draft. Choose your moments wisely; you don’t need every FAL, target one or two that suit your strengths, then race smart to the finish. Sprint economy matters: short, sharp accelerations beat long drags every time. If you go for FAL points, recover fast and slot back in.
The winning mindset is unmistakable: alert, aggressive, and adaptable. This race rewards riders who think two laps ahead, not just the one they’re in.
From Glasgow to Makuri, and now to the electric streets of New York, the Criterium Championship has never been about comfort. It’s about nerve, awareness, and timing. Blink and it’s over.