Following a 2008 National Racing Calendar that included no Chicago-area races, USA Cycling has published a 2009 calendar that for the men adds the Chicago Criterium and restores the Tour of Elk Grove. This is fabulous news, as these premier events deserve the best riders available.

Missing again are the USPRO national criterium championships of Downers Grove, a major disappointment. The 2008 edition, also off the NRC calendar, saw teams splitting themselves between Downers Grove and the Tour of Utah, which resulted in a smaller field and some say overly negative racing. (It also resulted in an American winning the race outright for the first time in several years.)

On the bright side, the calendar adds the Marion Classic Riveralk Criterium a few hours away in Marion, Ind.

Two notes on dates: The Chicago Criterium is listed as Sunday, July 26, which will again coincide with the final weekend of Superweek. Also, four days are listed for the Tour of Elk Grove

although the press release calls it a “three-day” event.

For more context on the NRC, read Mark Zalewski‘s excellent CyclingNews analysis from August.