USA Cycling published its 2009 National Racing Calendar over the weekend, with several surprises, including the Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling, held April 26, the new Oregon Pro Cycling Race, the June 21 Tour of Winghaven in St. Louis, the July 26 Chicago Criterium and August 8 Tour of Elk Grove, and the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, held September 5.

Gone from next year’s NRC schedule are the Sequoia Cycling Classic, the Garrett Lemire Memorial Grand Prix, the Sea Otter Classic, the AT&T Austin Downtown Crit and the Cox Charities Cycling Classic.

Currently in its 12th season, the NRC is an all-inclusive road cycling series sanctioned and owned by USA Cycling that features the nation’s top Pro-Am events.

With a total prize list of $1.2 million in 2008 and an overall ranking system that determines the country’s best men’s and women’s individual cyclists and cycling teams at the end of the season, the NRC is the premier season-long national-level calendar that features both professional and amateur cyclists.