• HOT TOPICS:
• Cav wins stage 2 •
• Cancellara wins opener •
• Sastre can't start in yellow •
• Boonen gets green light

Nature Valley: Four Days of Blood, Sweat and Gears

• Article Extras
• Photos

The Iron Range Road Race

With Philly week behind us, all eyes — well, okay, at least those focused on domestic road racing — now turn to the four-day, five-stage Nature Valley Grand Prix. The premiere component of the twin cities’ Great River Energy Bicycle Festival, Nature Valley begins Thursday, June 12, in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

Last year’s event, a three-day omnium — scored on cumulative finishing positions, rather than overall time — was won by John Lieswyn (7UP-Maxxis) and Laura Van Gilder, who rode for Trek Plus but now rides for Saturn.

For 2003, the event sees several important changes: the event has been expanded by one day and two stages, most notably the opening day’s Iron Range road race; scoring has changed to the more standard cumulative time-based classification; and the race was recently upgraded to a 2.3 ranking on USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar (from a 2.5 in 2002), making it one of the top-ten stage races in the country, sponsored by Great River Energy, Nature Valley and USA Cycling.

The Stillwater Criterium

The city of Minneapolis will host the third stage on Friday night, June 13. Produced in partnership with the Minneapolis Downtown Council, this event will be the city’s first pro bike race since it hosted the Norwest Cup in 1995, and is expected to draw large crowds as part of a summer concert series. Other race venues include a road race in Winona on June 14, and the final criterium in Stillwater on June 15 — considered the most difficult in North America — where racers climb a brutal 24% grade up Chilkoot Hill.

(Note: Original plans to begin the stage race with a prologue time trial on Wednesday, June 11 were shelved, and that time trial has now been added into a double day on Friday, June 13. Also, the original distance of the men’s Iron Range road race, 120 miles, has been shortened to 98 miles.)

Most notable at this year’s event will be a strong women’s field, featuring squads sent by Saturn, T-Mobile, Diet Rite and RONA-Esker (sans Genevieve Jeanson), as well as an appearance by Nurnberger’s German sprint star Petra Rossner.

“The women's field is outstanding,” said race director David LaPorte. “We're making a big effort to help fill the void left by the loss of the HP [Women’s Challenge] and the women have responded big time. Their field is almost as big as the men's.”

Look for Rossner as well as Saturn’s Ina Teutenberg and Van Gilder to light it up during the flat downtown Minnesota crit, while a safe bet for the road stages has to be Saturn’s Lyne Bessette — recent winner of the Wachovia Liberty Classic — along with teammates Katie Mactier and Manon Jutras. Also toeing the start line will be T-Mobile’s Kim Anderson and Velo Bella’s Lynn Gaggioli, both prominent players in the key break in Philly and threats to the overall, although they’ll have a rough time against Saturn’s deep squad.

The men’s field hosts a slew of powerful sprinters, including Navigators’ Marty Nothstein, Schroeder Iron’s Miguel Meza, U.S. Postal’s Robbie Ventura and Saturn’s Ivan Dominguez, Viktor Rapinski and Mark McCormack, racing for the first time in his new stars-and-stripes national champion’s jersey.Favorites for the men’s overall have to include Saturn’s stage race stars Tom Danielson and Nathan O’Neill, Navigators’ Henk Vogels, Schroeder Iron’s Aaron Olson and, of course, returning champion Lieswyn — although he rides with a squad of just five riders, as opposed to the eight-man teams Saturn, Navigators and Schroeder Iron bring.

I almost hate to say it folks, but we’re likely looking at another Saturn GC sweep on both sides of the fence, with the rest of the field likely left scrapping for stage wins.Stage 1 – Thursday, June 12
Iron Range Road Race
Women – 61 miles (Hoyt Lakes to Virginia, Minnesota)
Men – 98 miles (Two Harbors to Virginia, Minnesota)Both races will finish with multiple laps on a circuit in the city ofVirginia during a community festival.Mr. Rogers’ picks: Nathan O’Neill (Saturn), Lyne Bessette (Saturn)Stage 2 – Friday, June 13
Mesabi Trail Time Trial
Men's & Women's Pro/Elite Race: 6 milesRacing continues Friday morning with the Mesabi Trail Time Trial. Locatedin northern Minnesota between Grand Rapids and Ely, the Mesabi Trail offers66 miles of adventure — when completed, it will cover 132 miles and connect25 communities.Mr. Rogers’ picks: Tom Danielson (Saturn), Lyne Bessette (Saturn)Stage 3 – Friday, June 13
Minneapolis Downtown Classic
Women's Pro/Elite Race: 40 minutes
Men's Pro/Elite Race: 60 minutesAfter the time trial on the Mesabi Trail, riders will travel to downtownMinneapolis for the second event of the day, an hour-long crit on a flat,fast, six corner course.Mr. Rogers’ picks: Ivan Dominguez (Saturn), Sarah Ulmer (TDS)Stage 4 – Saturday, June 14
Winona Road Race
Women's Pro/Elite Race: 79 miles
Men's Pro/Elite Race: 106 milesStage 4 is a grueling road race past some of the most scenic roads inMinnesota. The pro women race first, covering 79 miles and two leg-bustingone-mile climbs. Then the men will race 106 miles, with four one-mile climbs.Both races finish on a two- mile circuit around Lake Park with plenty oftight corners.Mr. Rogers’ picks: Tom Danielson (Saturn), Lyne Bessette (Saturn)Stage 5 – Sunday, June 15
Stillwater Criterium
Women's Pro/Elite Race: 50 minutes
Men's Pro/Elite Race: 70 minutesDubbed “The toughest criterium in North America,” the Stillwater coursefeatures two lung-busting hill climbs on each lap and steep downhill turns.Mr. Rogers’ picks: Henk Vogels (Navigators), Petra Rossner (Nurnberger)

Photo Gallery

Sections »

• Road
• Mountain
• Cyclocross
• Track
• Tech Reports
• Products
• Diaries
• Training
• Mailbag
• Press Releases
• All News

Features »

• Race Coverage
• Teams & Rosters
• Photos
• VeloNews.tv
• VeloNews Mobile
• Events
• Velo Market
• Classifieds
• Forum
• RSS Feed

VeloNews Authors »

• Andrew Hood - European Correspondent
• John Wilcockson - Editor at Large
• Neal Rogers - Managing Editor
• Patrick O'Grady - Online Editor at Large
• Charles Pelkey - Senior Online Editor
• Steve Frothingham - Editor, VeloNews.com
• Zack Vestal - Technical Editor
• Lennard Zinn - Technical Writer
• Matt Pacocha - Test Editor
• Fred Dreier - Senior Writer
• Thomas LeCarner - Copy Editor
• Ben Delaney - Editor in Chief

VeloNews »

• Contact Us
• About Us
• Advertise
• Subscription Services
• Newsletter
• History
• Privacy

Affiliates »

• Competitor
• Inside Triathlon
• VeloGear
• VeloPress
• VeloSwap
• Map My Ride
• ESPN