Bigger, Badder USGP of Cyclocross Announces 2009 Portland Dates

The U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross, this country's premiere 'cross series, will return for a third year in 2009 and expand to a fourth weekend.

Along with the races in Louisville, KY, Mercer County, NJ, and Portland, OR, the USGP plans to add a fourth weekend of racing with the Planet Bike Cup in Madison, WI.

The 2009 USGP schedule boasts eight days of professional and amateur racing. The series kicks off Sept. 26 and 27 with the Planet Bike Cup in Wisconsin, followed by the Derby City Cup on Oct. 25 and 26 in Kentucky. The USGP will continue with the Mercer Cup in New Jersey Nov. 14 and 15 before returning to Portland Dec. 5 and 6 for the traditional series finale.

The Portland Cup weekend will start a big month of top-notch cyclocross in Oregon; the USA Cycling National Championships follow a week later in Bend.