Published on 10/14/2008

The 2009 National Racing Calendar was released Monday by USA Cycling, the sport's national governing body. It will feature 34 events, with some longstanding races, some new events andone surprise. The first race on the calendar was announced with little fanfare or details. It’s a three-day women’s stage to be held in conjunction with the 2009 Amgen Tour California. And logically enough, it will be called the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Stage Race, according to USA Cycling.

The 2009 National Racing Calendar was released Monday by USA Cycling, the sport’s national governing body. It will feature 34 events, with some longstanding races, some new events and one surprise.

The first race on the calendar was announced with little fanfare or details. It’s a three-day women’s stage to be held in conjunction with the 2009 Amgen Tour California. And logically enough, it will be called the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Stage Race, according to USA Cycling.

Although neither teams, nor course routes were announced, the schedule details the event beginning in Sacramento on Feb. 14, the same day as the fourth men’s Tour of California begins.

Last year, a one-day women’s criterium was held during the Tour of California. The expanded women’s race will feature $25,000 in prize money.

The 2009 Tour of California previously announced its field will include Team Astana, the Kazakhstan-sponsored squad that includes seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

The nine-day Tour of California will mark Armstrong’s first comeback race in the United States. Armstrong, who retired after winning the Tour de France in 2005, announced his comeback intentions last month. He will begin his comeback in the five-day Tour Down Under beginning Jan. 20 in Adelaide.

USA Cycling did not respond a telephone inquiry for more details of the new three-stage women’s race.

Here’s the 2009 National Racing Calendar schedule:

Feb 14-16: Amgen Tour of California Women’s Stage Race – California (women only)
Mar. 26-29: Redlands Bicycle Classic – California
Apr. 26: Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling – California
Apr. 29-May 3: Tour of the Gila – New Mexico
May 2: Sunny King Criterium – Anniston, Ala.
May 3: Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium – Georgia
May 7-10: Joe Martin Stage Race – Arkansas
May 11-17: Oregon Pro Cycling Classic –Oregon
May 16: Bank of America Wilmington Grand Prix – North Carolina
May 17: Kelly Cup – Baltimore, Md. (men only)
May 24: Tour of Leelanau – Michigan (women only)
May 25: Tour of Somerville – New Jersey
May 30: CSC Invitational – Arlington, Va.
May 29-31: Tulsa Tough – Oklahoma
June 7: Liberty Classic – Philadelphia, Pa. (women only)
June 10-14: Nature Valley Grand Prix – Minnesota
June 21: Tour de Winghaven – O’Fallon, Mo. (men only)
June 28: Manhattan Beach Grand Prix – California
July 2-5: Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic – Massachusetts
July 13-19: The International Tour de ‘Toona – Pennsylvania
July 18: Boise Twilight Criterium – Idaho (men only)
July 22-26: Cascade Cycling Classic – Oregon
July 26: Chicago Criterium – Illinois (men only)
July 31-Aug. 3: Tour of Elk Grove – Illinois (men only)
Aug. 8: Presbyterian Hospital Invitational – Charlotte, N.C.
Aug. 9: Hanes Park Classic – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Aug. 18-23: Tour of Utah – Utah (men only)
Aug. 22: Marion Classic Riverwalk Criterium – Indiana
Aug. 23: ING Direct Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife – Washington, D.C. (men only)
Aug. 30: Chris Thater Memorial – New York
Sept. 5: San Francisco Twilight Criterium – California
Sept. 7: US 100K Classic – Atlanta, Ga.
Sept. 12: Priority Health Grand Cycling Classic p/b Spectrum Health – Grand Rapids, Mich. (women only)
Sept. 13: Priority Health Ann Arbor Cycling Classic p/b Saint Joseph Mercy Medical System – Michigan (women only)