National Criterium Calendar starts second year on March 9

Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 1, 2013) -- The 2013 USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) begins on Saturday, March 9 with the Old Pueblo Grand Prix in Tucson, Ariz.

The second-year calendar spans 25 events from March 9 until its conclusion on Sept. 21 with the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup in Boston. Riders will compete for standings points tabulated for individual riders as well as teams. Following each week of racing, updated standings will be posted to the calendar page and distributed to the media. This year, the point tables have been modified to reflect a new structure of earning points on the NCC.

The USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar boasts 25 events in its second year. (Photo by Josh Dreyfus)

Points are awarded based on a two-tier system. A list of criteria created with input from teams and race directors is used to determine which events earn tier one or tier two status. Those races meeting six or more criteria are labeled tier one. Points awarded to riders placing in multi-day criterium omniums are based on the final omnium classification. Additionally, points are awarded to the top three riders in each stage of a multi-day criterium omnium. However, stage points do not apply to single-day races.

The winners of the men’s and women’s standings in 2012, Hilton Clarke (AUS/UnitedHealthcare) and Erica Allar (Tucson, Ariz./Care4Cycling powered by Solomon), will be determined to defend their individual titles while UnitedHealthcare and Team TIBCO-To the Top are aiming to repeat as best men’s and women’s teams on their respective calendars.

After the contest in Tucson, the men cross the country to Tampa, Fla., for the Cigar City Brewing Criterium on March 16. The NCC remains in Florida for the Delray Beach Twilight Festival on March 23 before traveling north for the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium in Charlotte, N.C., on April 13. The following week brings the NCC to Anniston, Ala., for the Sunny King Criterium on April 20. The first two multi-day events highlight the NCC as riders will contest USA CRITS Speed Weeks “A” and “B” in South Carolina and Georgia from April 17-May 1 and May 2-5.

The men are slated to compete in the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling in Dana Point, Calif., on May 5 before the women rejoin the competition for Tour de Grove in St. Louis on May 11. The criterium action moves to Wilmington, Del., for the Wilmington Grand Prix on May 18. A pair of New Jersey races are featured as the riders will compete in the Middle Earth Tour of Somerville on May 27 before the men contest the Base Camp Intl. p/b Verizon Wireless on May 30 in Basking Ridge. The Glencoe Grand Prix in Glencoe, Ill., will showcase the men and women on June 1 before they travel to Tulsa, Okla., for the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough from June 7-9. On June 8-9, riders will compete in Arlington, Va., in the Air Force Cycling Classic before the men vie in the Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic on June 16.

Riders move to the Midwest for the Tour of America’s Dairyland in Wisconsin from June 20-23 and the Herman Miller Brickyard Classic on June 29 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The men are slated to contest the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in West Chester, Pa., on July 6 before crossing the country with the women to compete in the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix in California on July 7. The focus shifts to Boise, Idaho, for the Boise Twilight Criterium on July 13 before the Prairie State Cycling Series in Chicago from July 18-21. On Aug. 24-25, the riders are slated to compete in Binghamton, N.Y., in the Chris Thater Memorial.

The final month of the calendar, September, features a pair of events as the men and women are slated to compete in the USA CRITS Finals in Las Vegas on Sept. 19 before the calendar concludes in Boston on Sept. 19.

This Article Updated March 1, 2013 @ 08:39 PM For more information contact: