Criterium

The criterion (from the French Critérium = measure of value, touchstone ) cycling race are referred to a relatively short, to be traversed several times and mostly inner-city circuit, which must measure 800-10000 meters.

Distances

The maximum distance of the race depends on the length of the circular course:

Mode of

According to the narrower, the original definition of the term ( as it is for example used in tenders of race ) is a criterion with a race in which the rankings are determined by awarding points at the finish line at regular ratings. The winner will be determined here by the results of individual work with scores, where the score (usually at regular intervals of usually five rounds) takes place at the finish line. The first driver receives 5 ​​points, the other 3, 2 and 1 point. At the last evaluation, which coincides with the final sprint, double points will be awarded. However, going round profits before the dot gains, so that in theory a driver can win the race, who scored no points. The specificity of a criterion is that the winner will be determined not only by the final sprint, which may preceded by an uneventful course of the race, but the race course will be animated continuously by repeating sprinting.

If such races without points classification held on the final sprint, it is called in the German speaking area of circuit racing. In international usage and the rules of the UCI races are counted among the criteria.

Importance

Criteria will not be included in the international racing calendar of the UCI World Tour and the UCI Continental Circuits. It is run for prize money, but not at points for the rankings this racing series. If these criteria are the national calendar of the national associations reported by 1 September of the previous year the International Cycling Union UCI thereto may also driver of a registered with the UCI cycling teams participate, with the participation of drivers of a UCI ProTeam is limited to 50 percent of the starters. Such races are conducted in a separately published criteria calendar since the 2012 season.

For criteria not cycling teams, but individual cyclists are engaged by the organizer as opposed to other road race.

Especially after the Tour de France this race serve to show the cycling Stars the audience up close. In this case and in the numerous, held during the week in the Netherlands and Belgium race one also speaks of fair race, because they are often held in the framework of local fairs or street festivals. The show is in the foreground, and often, the results and the course to be agreed upon in advance so that local drivers or the stars of the international cycling scene will be honored in this way. However, some national cycling federations also align national championships criterion, such as the U.S. and the New Zealand Association. Also DDR - road Radmeisterschaften were held criterion in the discipline.