British Cycling has announced the dates for the country’s two leading road race series for 2009 - the Premier Calendar Road Race Series and the Elite Men’s Circuit Race Series.
The Premier Calendar Road Race Series comprises 13 events, beginning with the Bikeline 2 Day race in Wales March 14-15. Last year, brothers Russ and Dean Downing topped the standings.
The 11 races in the Elite Men’s Circuit Race Series brings out the UK's best criterium riders. Team Rapha Condor took the top three placings in 2008 in a series which saw Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France finisher Geraint Thomas compete. The series begins at the purpose built Hillingdon Cycle Circuit in West London in May.
The Premier Calendar Road Race series lists as follows:
March 14-15: Bikeline 2 Day, Hope, Flintshire
March 29: Tour Of The Reservoir, Co. Durham
April 11-13: Girvan Stage Race, Girvan, Scotland
April 19: Archer Grand Prix, Hazlemere, Bucks
May 2-3: Chas Messenger 2 Day, Long Crendon, Bucks
May 10: Lincoln Grand Prix, Lincoln
May 23-24: Tour of Wessex, Somerset
June 7: Ryedale Grand Prix, Helmsley, North Yorkshire
June 15: Beaumont Trophy, Ponteland, Northumberland
July 5: Tour of Blackpool Grand Prix Road Race, Blackpool
July 26: East Yorkshire Classic, Beverley, E.Yorks
August 9: Tour of Pendle, Barnoldswick, Lancs
August 23: Richmond Grand Prix, Richmond, North Yorkshire
The National Elite Circuit Race Series lists as follows:
May 17: Hillingdon Grand Prix, Hillingdon, W. London
June 17: Stone Criteriums, Stone, Staffs
June 24: Otley Criteriums, Otley, W. Yorks July 1: Rochdale Grand Prix, Rochdale, Lancs
July 3: Tour of Blackpool Grand Prix Circuit Race, Blackpool
July 7: Brighouse Criteriums, Brighouse, Yorks
July 14: Colne Grand Prix, Colne, Lancs
July 22: Blackburn Grand Prix, Blackburn, Lancs
September 5: Newport Nocturne, Newport, Shropshire
September 6: Travelwise Warwick Town Centre Circuit Races, Warwick
September 20: Preston City Centre Grand Prix, Preston, Lancs.
