PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
2019 IS WHEN IT ALL STARTED, ROADS CONVERGED.
The DuPage Sports Commission (DSC) launched, DuPage County remained the healthiest destination in Illinois, and the Chicago Grit (formerly known as Intelli Cup) cycling series continued to dominate the summer sports scene. DuPage was ripe to welcome a larger presence in this renowned cycling event. In partnership with the Village of Lombard, the Lombard Cycling Classic (LCC) was established –making Lombard the third stop in DuPage County out of Chicago Grit’s 10 stops in Chicagoland. 2019 was an exciting inaugural year.
FAST FORWARD TO TODAY. The Village of Lombard and DSC are once again hosting the Lombard Cycling Classic. Chicago Grit remains the largest competitive road cycling event in America. And we are ready to partner with you to maximize exposure to DuPage residents, our hospitality industry, and event participants hailing from all corners of the country and throughout the world.
DUPAGE COUNTY FACTS
RANKED IN ILLINOIS:
• Best County for Outdoor Activities
• Best County for Families
• Healthiest County in Illinois
• Best County to Live
• Best County for Young Professionals
• County with the Best Public Schools
REACH YOUR TARGET MARKET
MARKET FACTS
• Estimated 65 million competitive and recreational cyclists in the U.S.
• One of America’s largest lifestyle sports that is also family-friendly
• Number of Americans who ride bikes is greater than all who ski, golf, and play tennis combined
• Estimated $6 billion bicycle industry in the U.S.
WELL-EDUCATED AND AFFLUENT DEMOGRAPHIC
USA CYCLING LICENSED CYCLISTS:
• 72% are 25-44
• 93% are college educated
• 48% have household incomes over $100,000
CHICAGO GRIT SERIES:
ANNUAL 10-DAY SERIES OF
BIKE RACES IN CHICAGOLAND
JULY 18-27, 2025
• Pro and amateur men’s and women’s cycling races featuring elite athletes from the region and all over the world.
• Criterium-style (crit) races with short, closed courses that are easy to watch for spectators and more accessible for the media.
• Race speeds in excess of 30 mph with “prime laps” in which racers sprint across the finish line for cash payouts and merchandise.
• All-day racing is partnered with family-friendly fun: kids’ activities, entertainment, Lifestyle Expo, food vendors, and merchant sales in a festival atmosphere.
• Professional on-stage announcers provide play-by-play coverage, cycling knowledge 101, interactive spectator contests, community highlights, and partner messaging to engage spectators and athletes.
BY
2024 BY THE NUMBERS
•4,274 entries in 2024
- Riders from 44 states and provinces, and from 15 nations
- 33% of riders from Illinois
- 52.4% of cyclists are 25-40 years of age
- Approx. 30% of riders were female - a very high percentage for the sport
• Racers spend an average of $2,016 on events including local lodging and food
2025 LOCATIONS
West Dundee, Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Mundelein, Lombard, Brookfield, Northbrook, Elgin, Lake Bluff, Chicago, and Fulton Market
PHOTO
IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Lombard and the LCC are at the center of it all – and that’s not just our bias. Lombard is centrally located amongst the Chicago Grit venues, making our destination one of the most convenient locations to stay and play. Lombard and the LCC are an easy choice for participants and spectators. Locals even love it – Metra is right nearby.
EXPO EXPERIENCE - NO TICKETS REQUIRED!
This is something DSC takes seriously. Planning the Lombard Cycling Classic is all about the experience, from the moment racers engage with registration to the moment a champion takes their place on the winner’s stand. But it’s not all about serious competition. Spectators are also at the heart of the day. Without the families, fans, and residents to cheer on riders, the day wouldn’t be the same. They are our guests, and we want them to walk away feeling like part of the action.
Let’s take being in the “center of it all” to another level, as this is where our destination and event shines. The LCC offers some of the best viewing options when it comes to seeing the cycling competition and making a fun day of it. With racing taking place in Downtown Lombard on St. Charles Road, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and other specialty stores aren’t only the backdrop to the event, they are within the actual course itself. Visitors can claim a spot near the expo, a seat at a rooftop bar, or a table at one of the multiple outdoor restaurant seating locations. This means people stay longer and experience everything our event has to offer.
Convenient Access: A Metra Train Stop Located Directly next to the Course!
DUPAGE TRIPLE CROWN
Within the Chicago Grit series, the DuPage Triple Crown is its own omnium — known in the cycling world as a multi-day event — created and promoted by the DuPage Sports Commission. The Triple Crown includes the racers from the three DuPage Chicago Grit stops: Glen Ellyn, Winfield, and Lombard. Overall omnium winners are crowned during the Lombard Cycling Classic. The Triple Crown offers another layer of awareness and exposure for the LCC and ultimately our partners.
PHOTO BY ETHAN GLADING
2024 SIGNIFICANT STATS
• Over 364 racers
• Racers from 36 states and 11 nations
• 10 competitive races in one day: from amateur to professional level
• 200+ family fun ride participants
• 40+ volunteers
• 0.8-mile downtown course
A STRONG TECHNICAL COURSE IS HOW IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED TO US BY THE EXPERTS. THE LCC IS KNOWN FOR ITS UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING COURSE WHICH IS APPRECIATED BY THE RIDERS. IT HAS BEEN LIKENED TO A BELGIUMSTYLE CRIT COURSE — A COMPARISON WE ARE HAPPY TO ACCEPT!
In addition to riders from the U.S., the Lombard Cycling Classic previously welcomed riders from: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and New Zealand.
THE LCC HIGHLIGHTS
• Estimated 1,750 spectators
• Expo area featuring up to 14 vendors
• Giveaways and interactive activities for all spectators
Chicago Grit is a community event with a bike race. Our goal is to engage with each of our host communities and showcase how exciting, inspiring, and awesome bike racing can be. These stages are all incredible parties with plenty of stuff to do for the whole family.
– Marco Colbert, Chicago Grit Race Director
• Partner collaborations, last year featuring a raffle for a limited 2024 New Belgium Brewing-branded bike
PARTNERSHIPS
SINGLE OPPORTUNITIES
ONLY ONE PARTNERSHIP AVAILABLE PER CATEGORY.
PARTNERSHIP LEVEL
Company Name/Logo included as a title partner on the Chicago Grit website and official event schedule
Company Name/Logo included in the official name of the Lombard Cycling Classic on the Lombard Cycling Classic/DSC event website as the Title partner
Company Name/Logo included on the DSC event website as the Featured partner
Company Name/Logo included on the DSC event website as the Family Fun Ride partner
Company Logo on the official event flyer distributed around downtown Lombard prior to race
Social media post announcing the title partner
Included in other social media posts with DSC and DCVB
Title partner announcements through the entire race day, highlighting the company
Featured partner announcements throughout the race day, specifically during the first and last turns of the race
Family Fun Ride announcements throughout the race day, specifically during the family fun ride
Placement of company logo on dasher boards at the start/finish line 10’x10’ event expo space
Presentation of the DuPage Triple Crown Jersey to the winner on main stage
Live audio broadcast and promotion during the race
Photo opportunities with the DuPage Triple Crown winners
Post event social media wrap up
OPEN TO ALL
PARTNERSHIP CATEGORIES OPEN TO MULTIPLE BUSINESSES.
PARTNERSHIP LEVEL
Company Logo present on event website
“Partner Spotlight” social media post (Facebook and Instagram)
Lombard Cycling Classic business poster
First turn or last turn naming point & in-race announcements
Start/Finish line dasher boards
10’x10’ event expo space
Social media live feed
Post event social media wrap up
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