Dates for 2009 Premier Calendar and Elite Men's Circuit Race Series announced

British Cycling has today 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 events will test some of the UK’s best male cyclists to the limits and give some great racing for fans to watch across the country.

The Premier Calendar Road Race Series comprises 13 events, beginning with the Bikeline 2 Day race in Wales on 14 and 15 March.

The long, punishing courses of the Premier Calendar Road Race Series test the fitness, endurance and tactical ability of Great Britain’s top riders, including Russ and Dean Downing – the brothers who topped the 2008 standings – along with the likes of Olympians Chris Newton and Rob Hayles.

By contrast, the 11 races in the Elite Men’s Circuit Race Series brings out the bike handling skills, quick wits and agility of the best criterium riders. The dramatic, high-speed action of the city- and town-centre circuits draws out great crowds for events which contested some of the UK’s biggest teams and top names. 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.

British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director Jonny Clay said: “The 2009 Premier Calendar and Elite Circuit Race series’ will provide us with a fantastic year’s road racing. There are some great courses and venues on both calendars and with the hard-work and commitment of our organisers, both the 2009 Premier Calendar and Elite Circuit Race series’ look set to be fantastic events.”

The full racing calendar for both series’ is as follows:

Premier Calendar Road Race series

14/15 March     Bikeline 2 Day                                                   Hope, Flintshire

29 March         Tour Of The Reservoir                                         Co. Durham

11/13 April       Girvan Stage Race                                             Girvan, Scotland

19 April            Archer Grand Prix                                              Hazlemere, Bucks

2/3 May           Chas Messenger 2 Day                          Long Crendon, Bucks

10 May            Lincoln Grand Prix                                             Lincoln

23/24 May       Tour of Wessex                                     Somerset

7 June Ryedale Grand Prix                                            Helmsley, North Yorkshire

14 June           Beaumont Trophy                                               Ponteland, Northumberland

5 July              Tour of Blackpool Grand Prix Road Race  Blackpool

26 July            East Yorkshire Classic                                       Beverley, E.Yorks

9 August          Tour of Pendle                                                   Barnoldswick, Lancs

23 August        Richmond Grand Prix                                         Richmond, North Yorkshire

National Elite Circuit Race Series                                                                               

17 May            Hillingdon Grand Prix                                          Hillingdon, W. London

17 June           Stone Criteriums                                                  Stone, Staffs

24 June           Otley Criteriums                                     Otley, W. Yorks

1 July              Rochdale Grand Prix                                          Rochdale, Lancs

3 July              Tour of Blackpool Grand Prix Circuit Race            Blackpool

7 July              Brighouse Criteriums                                          Brighouse, Yorks

14 July            Colne Grand Prix                                               Colne, Lancs

22 July            Blackburn Grand Prix                                         Blackburn, Lancs

5 September    Newport Nocturne                                              Newport, Shropshire

6 September    Travelwise Warwick Town Centre Circuit Races Warwick

20 September  Preston City Centre Grand Prix                           Preston, Lancs.