Criterion

Criteriums in HUNT German are often confused with circuit racing or the terms are interchanged. Thus, a short circuit race (<2km lap length) is colloquially referred to as a criterium. Officially, however, the race formats differ in determining the winner.

In a criterium, the determination of the winner takes place, as on the track, by awarding points. In regular scoring rounds, points are awarded in descending order to the first riders – 5 to first, 3 to second, 2 to third, and finally 1 point to fourth.

The driver who has collected the most points at the end wins the race. This means that the winner can be determined even before the race distance has been completed, if no other driver can catch up with him.

An exception to this rule provide the round win. If a driver manages to lap the entire field, he can also win the race this way (lap win before points win). If more than one rider succeeds, the rider with the most points among the lapped riders, or the rider with the most lap wins, wins the race.

Criteria usually take place on a relatively short, urban course of at least 800m and rarely more than 3000m. The race distance for men (depending on the race class) is between 50 and 90 kilometers.