Since this is the Midwest Regional CX Championship, and CCC finale, podiums are a little more complicated than usual. Please help the best announcer a race series could ask for and if you are top three in the race or the overall, report to the podium ASAP following your race.

Speaking of this being an important race, to keep the finishes clear for epic battles, our hard-working USAC officials may finish riders early if they are deemed out of contention and within the 80% time gap to the race leader. Listen for Kenny and look for the officials to know if you are being finished early; you will still be placed in the results.

The weather looks positively great (oh crap, what did we just do?!) but be warned, the wind coming off the lake is no joke; please make sure to secure your tents.

Here’s your friendly reminder that Montrose Beach is a city park where people who might have no idea what cyclocross is might be wandering through on their usual Sunday strolls. Yes, we’ll be celebrating another great season of cyclocross with drinks** and food and more dranks**, but please be on your best behavior and show the city what a classy bunch we are.

Speaking of food, there will be FOUR food truck options this year with Firecake Donuts, Big Mama’s Urban Soul Food, Aztec Daves tacos and Five Squared pizza so come hungry.

** And now let us pause for the annual message from the fun police… the park is a Chicago Park District property and alcohol is NOT allowed. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks to our generous sponsors for helping make the Midwest Regional Championship presented by Ald. James Cappleman possible:

Speaking of parking, VIP parking spaces within the barricades (near the finish) are again available on BikeReg to help defray costs. Entry is from the NORTH END of Simonds drive — check in with the nice volunteers and show your receipt. (If you have a trailer please count that as a second space).

Teams are welcome to drop off equipment at the turn-around on the south-end of Simonds Drive near the staging grid. The driver must remain with the vehicle to expedite unloading and keep traffic flowing, just like at the airport. It’s usually a high-volume operation with everyone coming at the same time so help your teammates.

Speaking of equipment, team tents can go in many of the traditional areas, and with the start/finish change you are welcome to line the finish stretch, but only on the WEST (grass) side. No tents on the roadway. Also, please keep the area behind (east) of the sponsor/reg tents open as well for podium, et al. (red area).

Speaking of team tent placement, all are welcome, nay encouraged, to drop/place tents and other large items on Saturday afternoon! There is hired security for overnight watch (though of course SMC, USAC, CPD, et al. cannot take responsibility for what the weather/acts of gods could do to items left overnight, so make sure it’s secured/laid down/tied down). And hey, stick around to lend a helping hand with course setup.

Speaking of helping hands, Spidermonkey could use a few more hands during the race on Sunday for additional course marshaling spots required of the new course design. Volunteers get free lunch! Check the sign-up sheet.

We understand the desire to pre-ride, especially with so many CCC’ers living nearby. However, we kindly request you DO NOT RIDE the course this week, especially on Saturday, to enable course construction AND to keep it in nice condition for game day. Again, drop the bike and pick up some course stakes and tape to help — it takes a village!

Course: NEW START AND FINISH ON THE ROADWAY! Wooooot, we so fancy. We expect the weather to be dry but let’s keep those crit elbows in for that first turn and the transition onto the grass. You can’t win the race in turn one, but you can lose it. Also a new EXPANDED pit. (But still, please remove your equipment expeditiously after your race.)

As is tradition with Montrose, the course alternates the direction each year, going clockwise (i.e. sand first, Cricket Hill second). Note: The Junior 9-14 will have a cut-off section to bypass some of Cricket Hill and possibly some sand.