A new, big-bucks, international criterium has been announced in the USA, entitled the Alexian Brothers International Cycling Classic Tour of Elk Grove. Taking place over the weekend of August 12-13 in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the race boasts a cash prize purse of $153,000 - one of the largest purses in the U.S. for a criterium event. $25,000 of this will be allotted to the winner of the Men's International Pro Race, a 100 km/57 lap criterium, while the remainder will be spread among the place getters and the 14 other races being held over the weekend.
The race is being staged as part of the Village's 50th anniversary celebration in 2006, and its main sponsor is the Alexian Brothers Medical Center, an health care centre with facilities in Elk Grove.
