What s the difference between a Road Race, Criterium, and a Time Trial?
Road Races are typically longer mass start events held on open road, sometimes they are held on a circuit or circular course, several miles in length, and completed as multiple laps to finish a specific distance often between 35 to 60 miles. Criteriums are mass start timed races held on a smaller loop course generally on a closed course within the city. The events last for a set number of minutes (generally 30-60 minutes per category) and when time has elapse the racers complete a few counted laps to the finish. Criteriums are fast and dangerous as they involve many racers racing close together through tight turns at very fast speeds. Time Trials are events where each individual racer is completing a prescribed course and is timed against the clock. Racers start at timed intervals rather than in a pack and their times are ranked after all contestants have completed the course. Events are generally 20 Km (12.25 miles) or longer.
