Nature Valley Grand Prix team selection finalized
Thirteen amateur cyclists have been chosen to compete
against the pros at the Nature Valley Grand Prix – one of the top
professional bike races in America. Six men and seven women will be
brought to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the five day stage race and
receive team support, clothing, travel stipends, mechanics, and lodging
from a sponsorship from Nature Valley Granola Bars. They'll attend a
training camp prior to the race, learn how to race as cohesive,
composite teams and work on team tactics with the guidance of an
international cycling coach.
“It will be a learning experience to ride with the pros, but I hope to
place well in the criteriums, said Trina Jacobson, who earned her
selection after taking a few years off the bike to dedicate time to a
new baby. The team is composed of a diverse group of amateur athletes,
ranging in ages from 21-35, and includes an attorney, aerospace
engineer, defense company project manager, and a ski shop technician.
Each racer was selected based on their finish at one of six Nature
Valley Pro Chase events or by coach's selection.
WOMEN
* Lindsay Bayer, Reston, VA
* Erin Burton, Mount Pleasant, SC
* Bri Clark,Carmel, IN
* Trina Jacobson, San Diego, CA
* Cat Johnson, Boulder, CO
* Joy McCulloch, Redlands, CA
* Brianna Walle, Beaverton, OR
MEN
* Tyler Brandt, Fairfax, CA
* Pete Custer, Hampton, VA
* Evan Fader, Raleigh, NC
* Connor McCutcheon, Big Bear Lake, CA
* Tony Olson, Mankato, MN
* James Stangeland, Seattle, WA
“This is a great opportunity for an unknown like myself, " said Connor
McCutcheon who just recently took up cycling to stay fit for ski
racing.
“I’m realistic about my GC (general classification) chances, but I am
looking for a stage win or at least a good result in a stage,” said
Evan Fader, a former hockey player who qualified at the RBC Tour de
Moore.
“Nature Valley gives amateur riders a chance to push the envelope,"
said Nature Valley Cycling Team head coach Michael Engleman, a former
pro himself, "The Nature Valley Pro Chase has been a ticket to the
professional ranks for a number of amateur riders. Current pro’s who
came through this program include Jade Wilcoxson, Anna Barensfeld (both
Optum Pro Cycling) and Alison Tetrick Starnes (Exergy Twenty12).”
Most riders qualified at one of six Nature Valley Pro Chase races
across the country, including the Tour of Murrieta in San Diego, CA;
the Jefferson Cup in Charlottesville, VA; the RBC Tour de Moore in
Southern Pines, NC; the Superior Morgul Classic, in Boulder, CO; the
San Jose Omnium in San Jose, CA; and the Memorial Weekend Omnium in the
Quad Cities area of Illinois and Iowa. Two riders were selected by
Coach Engleman based to their consistent finishes and recognizable
talent.
About the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival: Now in its 14^th year, the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is an 11-day celebration of bicycling that includes amateur and professional racing
and community events. The Festival will open on June 7-9 with the
Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic at the National Sports Center Velodrome.
The marquee event, the Nature Valley Grand Prix, will be held June
13-17. The stage race has become the top event on the USA Cycling
National Racing Calendar, attracting top American and international
racing teams and nearly 300 riders from around the world. The Festival
is a volunteer-run event with all profits donated to Children’s
Lighthouse of Minnesota. For more information, visit
www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com.
About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar NRC): Entering its 16^thseason in 2012, the USA Cycling National Racing
Calendar (NRC) is a road cycling series sanctioned by USA Cycling. It
is designed to provide a ranking system for all elite-level cyclists,
both amateur and professional, through participation in the nation’s
premier cycling events.
About Nature Valley Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975,
brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and
great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is
part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of
consumer foods products. For more information, visit
www.NatureValley.com.
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