The Quad Cities Criterium has found a new home. On Monday, the 49th annual Memorial Day bike races will be held for the first time in the village of East Davenport. The Criterium was first held in Moline's Olde Towne neighborhood in 1965, and stayed there for 32 years, before moving to downtown Rock Island in 1997.
John Harrington, president of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club, says last year the group hired a professional race director for the first time - Tom Schuler watched last year's races, then suggested the move. He wanted to return to the "feel" of the original races in Olde Towne.
And since the decision was made to move the races, Harrington says the bicycle club has met with aldermen, city department heads, police and fire departments, and business and home owners in the east village. He asks everyone to pray for good weather on Monday.