With Superweek and the Tour of Elk Grove behind us, the racing scene takes a collective breath this weekend before the summer’s final blowout weekend, that of Downers Grove. But that doesn’t mean there’s not any racing going on. In fact, this week is one of the year’s busiest with many options within just a few hours of Chicago.

And you never know what pros and top elites will decide to hit the local crits to earn some gas money. Indeed, it’s not uncommon this time of year to see some heavy hitters take on Matteson or the track to stay fresh before Downers. Just last week Adam Myerson (Mountain Khakis) showed up at Soldier Field to put a thumping on the A field.

Starting with our Illinois Cup races, Saturday sends us to Grayslake for the Grayslake Cycling Classic.  It’s a U-shape course with wide, rounded corners that in the past has been friendly to breaks.

Sunday’s Glencoe Grand Prix has always been a very well-run event, and chip timing returns this year. This weekend the P/1/2 price purse was increased to $5,000, including 10 $100 primes. It’s a flat course that for the afternoon races will feature a tight, acute final turn 300 meters from the finish. (Lower categories and juniors take a less technical turn.) It’s no BK Stacker, but it nonetheless earns its own moniker: Amen Corner. Say a prayer each time that everyone makes the turn safely. Mind your inside pedal, especially on the last lap, when you will be going faster and leaning more than previous laps.

Special note to women: Francine Haas (Alberto’s) will lead a free clinic the day before the race, Saturday 2:30 p.m. This will be an excellent opportunity to preview the course and pick up pointers from experienced racers.

Farther from home there is the Warsaw Downtown Criterium in Indiana, a flat, .45-mile course. And up in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Meijer Grand Cycling Classic throws three sections of brick at riders, not to mention $8,000 to the P/1/2’s.

Finally there is a rare opportunity to compete in a stage race with the Indiana Stage Race, an ABR omnium in Indianapolis. Promoter Dan Daly runs it, and he always treats Chicago riders like royalty.

Saturday Grayslake Cycling Classic USCF criterium Grayslake, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 1 hour Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008

Warsaw Downtown Criterium USCF criterium Warsaw, Ind. Distance from Chicago: 2.5 hours

Meijer Grand Cycling Classic USCF criterium Grand Rapids, Mich. Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

Indiana Stage Race: Eagle Creek Fast Crit ABR criterium Indianapolis, Ind. Distance from Chicago: 3 hours

Sunday Glencoe Grand Prix USCF criterium Glencoe, Ill. Distance from Chicago: .5 hour Previous wrap-ups: 2007, 2008

Indiana Stage Race: Ft. Ben Road Race ABR road race Indianapolis, Ind. Distance from Chicago: 3 hours