The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a “Women’s Prestige Series” and NRC (National Race Calender) event on the North American Road Racing calendar. This year’s race attracted the strongest women’s pro teams in North America as well as some world class international riders such as Pursuit World Record holder, New Zealand’s Sarah Ulmer and the New Zealand National team, and World Pursuit Champion, Australia’s Katie Mactier. The 5 day stage race is held in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota.
The racing was fast and hard as most riders are coming into their peak for the upcoming Canadian and U.S. National Road Championships. In addition to being on the NRC circuit, Nature Valley is also part of the “Women’s Prestige” Series and all the heavy-hitters were present as the teams vied for points in the “Prestige” series. The top 8 teams in the series, which includes the NVGP and the “Tour de Toona” in July, are offered a stipend to go to Bermuda in September for the final race of the series, so the stakes were high all around.
For me, the goal for this stage race was to gain fitness for races later in the season. I wanted to race as hard and fast as I could and stay within the allotted timecuts so that I could start the next day’s racing. On all those notes, the racing was a success. I also posted personal high wattage outputs, showing that my fitness and training are going in the right direction. I’m looking forward to the fitness gain that I’m sure to have after this gruelling week of racing – there’s no training like racing!
To say the racing was hard was an understatement. The 5-stage race which included a time trial, 2 road races and 2 crits, with one of the crits featuring a climb with an 18% grade on every lap – had every possible element that could make a race epic: crosswinds, crashes, hail, and heat. Teams used the windy conditions to ride the peloton into the gutter and shatter the field in the road races while keeping the pace at an utter max in both crits.
Out of the 135 women who started this race, I placed 67th in the overall general classification. If anyone is looking for a great, well-organized, challenging race, this is one that I would not hesitate to recommend! It’s worth the 14 hour drive to Minneapolis. I will be back next year!
For full report, results and photos for the Nature Valley Grand Prix Stage race, see: www.cyclingnews.com
Next week, I’m off to the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race in Massachussetts – another NRC stage race – with my team R.A.C.E. teammate, Diana Joness.
Thanks to my sponsors and friends at team R.A.C.E., CBC, Lazer Helmets, Rudy Project, Proformance Athlete’s Gym and coach Karpik. Also, thanks to our host-house Mom, Connie for making us all feel at home.
Happy riding!
Julia
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