The Vann Knight Memorial Tuesday Night World Championship Criterium Series is a premier St. Louis cycling tradition with a history spanning over 30 years. Held in Carondelet Park, this weekly series offers a fast-paced, mass-start training environment for racers of all levels to sharpen their speed, tactics, and handling.

Event Schedule & Details (2026 Season)

Dates: Every Tuesday evening from March 10th to September 1st, 2026.
Location: Carondelet Park, 3900 Holly Hills Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63116.
Registration: Online-only via BikeReg. Registration typically opens at 5:00 PM each Tuesday and closes 30 seconds before each race start.
Fees: $25 per entry; a second race on the same night is $5. A 2026 Season Pass is available for $520 (covering all 26 races).

Course Description

The course is a wide-open 0.7-mile loop featuring high-quality, near-perfect pavement.

Layout: A fast downhill turn is followed by a section with slight elevation gain, making it both safe and challenging.
Format: Races run for a specified duration plus 3 final laps, with the last lap signaled by a bell.

Event Highlights

Race Categories:
- "A" Race: For USA Cycling Category 1, 2, and 3 licensed racers.
- "B" Race: For Category 4 and 5 men, Category 1-5 women, Masters 50+ (Cat 1/2/3), and all Juniors.
Junior Racing: Underwritten by Renaissance Financial, all Junior entry fees are free in exchange for one hour of volunteer work at Big Shark events.
Primes and Prizes: Weekly "primes" (mid-race sprints for prizes) and prizes are provided by Chef Gerard Craft and Pastaria.
Pre-Race Clinics: Educational clinics for new racers are tentatively returning for the 2026 season.

Participant Information

Parking: The park area near the course is closed to traffic; participants should park on perimeter streets and ride in.
Results: The top 6 finishers in each category are scored and posted online.
Safety: USA Cycling rules apply. Helmets are mandatory, and hazardous riding or unsafe equipment will not be tolerated.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is criterium racing and why should I participate?

Criterium racing is a fast-paced, mass-start bike racing format that's the American cycling art form. It's the perfect training opportunity to improve your speed, tactics, positioning, handling, and overall fitness - experience is the best teacher, and racing is where you'll develop these skills fastest.

Is this series only for elite racers, or can I compete as a beginner?

The Vann Knight Tuesday Night World Championship Criterium Series welcomes racers of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or new to criterium racing, this 30+ year St. Louis tradition offers the perfect training environment to build your skills and fitness.

How long does each race last and when does it finish?

Each race lasts a specified duration plus 3 laps, with the final lap signaled by the ringing of a bell. This format keeps the racing tight, exciting, and unpredictable right up to the finish line.

When does the series run and how often do races take place?

The series runs Tuesday evenings from March through early September. Check the event website for the latest details on specific race dates and start times so you can plan your training schedule accordingly.

Where is Carondelet Park and what should I know about the course?

Carondelet Park is located at 3900 Holly Hills Boulevard in St. Louis. The park's circuit course provides the perfect venue for criterium racing, with multiple corners and prime locations that test your handling skills and tactical positioning throughout each lap.

Is there good spectating at the Tuesday night races?

Yes! Carondelet Park offers excellent spectator zones where you can watch the action unfold around the circuit. The fast-paced, mass-start format makes for exciting racing, and the multiple corners provide great vantage points to catch all the tactics and speed.

What skills will I develop by racing in this series?

Criterium racing sharpens speed, tactics, positioning, and bike handling - skills that translate directly to your fitness and racing performance. The repeated laps and constant pressure of mass-start racing make this the ultimate training ground for competitive cyclists.

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The Vann Knight Memorial Tuesday Night World Championship Criterium Series

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