Nature Valley Grand Prix
Minneapolis, Minnesota

12-16 June 2013
1 Stage, 12 June, Wednesday- TT, 7.7 miles
2 Stage, 12 June, Wednesday- Criterium, Downtown Minneapolis, 28 Laps
3 Stage, 13 June, Thursday- Road Race, Cannon Falls, 93 Miles
4 Stage, 14 June, Friday- Criterium, Uptown Minneapolis, 25 Laps
5 Stage, 15 June, Saturday- Road Race, Minomonie, 82.3 Miles
6 Stage, 16 June, Sunday- Criterium, Still Water, 13 Laps

   I arrived in Minneapolis to a beautiful sunny evening that soon changed as we woke up Wednesday morning to clouds and the soon onset of rain as we arrived to the TT course.  It was a fun rolling course with just 1 turn around and not being able to use any TT equipment there were no aerobars, disk wheels, or even aero helmets.
   After a wet and quick time trial we headed home to dry off and rest up for the afternoon.  That evening was the first crit in downtown Minneapolis.  The sun had come out and the streets had dried to afford us a fast and aggressive race.  I stuck with the group and worked up through the field as the race neared the final laps.  No big moves or action on my side, but a solid race was the objective this early in the stage race.
   Thursday morning we relaxed and we rested for the afternoon ride.  At 4pm we rolled out of Cannon Falls for a nice long 93 mile loop.  Not too much action besides a neutralization about halfway through.  I found out later that the small breakaway group was lead the wrong way by the motorcycle and once back on course they intersected with the main group and a crash happened on one turn.  So just up the road after the crash, as I started to go back to the car for water, the group slowed down drastically and then the car neutralized the group and we came to a dead hault.  There was mass movement of riders going to cars, mechanics going to riders and a frenzy of cyclists trying to take advantage of every little second of stopage time that we had.  Once rolling again we cruised for a bit before getting to a mile long dirt section (that of course I had forgotten about) and the group got strung out.  We arrived  to the circuit for a quick change of pace as the smooth race soon became a crit. After 4 laps of intense corners I finished with the group and ready to get out of the saddle.
   Friday we had a late criterium right near the house we were staying at.  Lots of recovery time from the road race of Thursday.  The race didnt go as well as I would have liked.  I got a bad start clipping in and then as the group strung out I wasnt able to move fast enough to the front and as I was behind some random rider where a gap formed.  As hard as I tried and even with all the pulling and effort I put in we weren’t able to bridge the gap.  Collaboration in our small back group didnt come together and that became the downfall in this crit.
   Saturday I was determined to end on a more positive note.  Riding the rolling 83 mile course with 3 small but meaningful climbs the group got broken up a bit and had a few attacks to make things interesting.  Olivia Dillon broke off solo for 60 miles to end the day taking the climbers jersey.  Lauren Stephens broke away after Olivia with about 20 miles to go (I think) and stayed in front and alone all the way to the finish.  Still in the group, but not having made any significant moves I knew time was running short as we approached 70 miles.  We headed into town and into the 4 lap circuit.  The looming clouds that had provided cooler weather all day began to drop rain as we crossed the soon to be finish line.  As we rounded the first couple turns, I was in the top 15 of the group and saw an opportunity to make something happen.  I kicked out to the other side of the road and put on a burst of speed to get away from the group.  After whipping around a turn I looked back to see I had a large gap and no one with me.  I figured, why not, so put my head down and grinded away.  I made it around towards the finish line and a couple people along the road said I had about 30 seconds.  I raced through the finish line with 3 to go and kept working hard.  Not knowing whether I actually had a chance to stay away or not, it didn’t matter, all that mattered was that I was there and I was going to give it everything until I either got caught or crossed the line.  I worked my way around the circuit again, taking every turn as fast and well as I could, especially considering the rain began to drizzle a bit more.  As I road towards the line and into 2 to go I felt the group approaching.  I was slowly passed by the line of riders and at that, my break was over.  I tucked myself back into the group and tried to rest as much as was possible considering the finishing intensity of the race.  It was hard just to stay in as my legs were tired from going all out, especially after 70 miles of riding on top of that.  But I sucked it up and went hard for the less then 2 laps to finish with the group.  Unfortunately not a spectacular placement, but I made a move, learned, and worked hard.
   Sunday I took one look at the course and my jaw dropped.  The start was at the base of a 100m (or so) hill that was at least 16%, then after making it up that hill and turning the corner there was barely enough street to catch your breath before another uphill.  Given, it wasn’t as steep, but just enough to make you feel like dying once more.  I got a pretty good start over the line, but lacking that killer punch of power on the first couple laps and that put me behind.  It wasn’t even provided an entire lap before the field was decided.  The group shattered, determining just after the first hill who could hold onto the front and who would have to settle for a back position.  I was unfortunately in a back spot, but still worked around each lap hoping the 13 laps would go quickly.  As the back breaking hill never got any easier a small group formed including some Colavita riders trying to defend their sprinter’s jersey.  But just as I prepared myself for another push up and 3 laps to go, the official stepped out into the road and ended our groups ride and the misery of struggling up that hill.  It was an incredibly hard criterium day, but I still wish I had been able to start further up and finish the entire race.  Always good experience though.

   Considering many ups and downs, this race was a great opportunity, I learned so much and I gained more experience then I would have thought.  I observed all the attacks and movements of other teams to appreciate their tactics.  I made my own attacks and worked every day to develop my own ability.  I would have liked to finish higher in the General Classification, but in such an intense stage race even one bad day can knock you back, and that’s just what happened to me.
Finished 34th in GC