If it’s July, it must be time for that annual tour known for top international talent, crashes and controversy.

Also, the Tour de France is going on.

That’s right, Superweek is back for its 42nd year with 17 consecutive days of racing, including six venues close to Chicago. It continues to draw top talent, among them a full squad from Bahati Foundation, which is registered for the entire series.

(Some of that talent needs host housing, by the way, especially in the Chicago area. More information here.)

Today is your last day to pre-register and avoid a late fee.

Important note for masters: Thanks to the suggestion of Team Mack, 35+ 1/2’s can race Beverly for $20, and if doubling up at Geneva, Homewood or Willow Springs, the second race will be $20. Promoter Andy Garrison says to register in person in order to take advantage of this option; there will be no late fee for doing so.

Here’s what I know about some of the races:

• » Beverly Hills Cycling Classic, Friday, July 9. For spectators, it doesn’t get much better than this. This challenging neighborhood course enjoys fantastic support from the residents, who plan a block party around the race. Racing is for P/1/2’s only, but all cycling fans and in fact all sports fans should considering coming to watch. With its steep kicker at Turn 1 and a fast descent into the homestretch, the course will be a rough introduction to Superweek for local riders, many of whom will be in lawn chairs by the 20th lap. It’s expect that at least one break will get away and lap the field, after which the sprint will favor the team with the most survivors and the best organizaion for the leadout.
• » Geneva and Homewood, Friday-Saturday, July 10-11: Both are new courses in new host cities, but both are downtown crits, which is promising. Note that Mill Race Cyclery is helping in Geneva and is looking for volunteers. Homewood and Willow Springs need volunteers, too. T-shirts will be given for your troubles.
• » Richton Park, Monday, July 12: Flat, non-technical criterium around a park.
• » Willow Springs Road Race, Tuesday, July 13. I’m curious how this course will play out. It has to potential to be a lot of fun. Except for the P/1/2’s, race lengths are on the short side — with the women 3/4’s racing longer than the 4/5’s, which may be a first — so speeds should be high for a road race. The finish will be at the top of the same series of big-ring climbs employed in our 2009 state road race. Position on the final lap will be key. You’ll want to be patient and save your sprint until the final rise, but at the same time you can’t afford to get swarmed on the initial approach or get stuck behind cracked riders. A good leadout will do wonders. The course is an abbreviated version of the state road race, and will include a fast sweeping descent onto Archer. I hope it doesn’t turn into our own private Stockeu. Meanwhile, a rider tells me that the shoulder on Archer is in dodgy condition. He recommends favoring the yellow line on this section. Note that the pivotal Willow Springs Road stretch will be closed to traffic, and fencing will separate traffic on Archer.
• » Schlitz Park, Saturday, July 17. Fun crit in Milwaukee with a steep hill.
• » Evanston Grand Prix, Sunday, July 18. Oh, Evanston. This is always a fun race to watch with great crowds and a fun downtown setting, but it’s forged a reputation for crashes, from the pros on up to the 4/5’s.  For photographers looking for crash porn, there are two spots to set up camp: The first is Turn 4 as Davis turns onto Orrington. Riders on the outside have a habit of clipping the barriers in front of Hotel Orrington. Even more problematic is the famous BK Stacker in Turn 5. Here two lanes become one, and the outside curb pinches in more sharply than you expect. If you’re not directly behind someone’s wheel into this corner, you may be in trouble. Meanwhile, riders at the front will be taking the turns smoothly and blasting out of them, leading to a significant accordion effect in the back.
• » Whitnall Park Road Race, Monday, July 19. This 2-mile circuit race takes place on the scenic rollers of a botanic garden. The finish comes after a fast, leg-burning climb and than about 50 meters of flat road.
• » Lakefront Road Race, Wednesday, July 21. One of the more interesting road races you’ll do, located along a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan. The 4.5-mile course includes two steep kickers, a fast sweeping descent and a short passage through a narrow bike path.

Full schedule here. Good luck!