USA Cycling is announcing the National Criterium Calendar (NCC) starting with the 2012 season. It is designed to highlight the nation's top criterium events and riders throughout the country.
The NCC will open for bids immediately and is expected to include the top dozen or so marquee American criterium events. The criteriums will no longer be part of the National Racing Calendar (NRC), starting in 2012.
Criterium racing is a very strong discipline in the USA. "The new NCC will aim to give criterium racing, a uniquely American discipline, its own forum showcasing its own heroes," said USA Cycling Managing Director of National Events Micah Rice. Criterium races are typically run on closed, city center streets and are exciting events for spectators both live and on television. Successful criterium racers often possess a unique and exceptional mix of technical skills and sprinting ability compared to other long-format road races.
USA Cycling will be sensitive to date conflicts for the NRC and NCC races. All of the NCC races will be included on the UCI Criterium calendar, which presently allows ProTeam and Pro Continental team riders to compete in those events.
Starting next year, the NRC will be a combination of America's top road races, stage races and mixed omniums, including any class 2 UCI event.