Race Report for Stage 1 Nature Valley Grand Prix

Written by Jenny Rios Arriving at the Saint Paul River Front Time Trial we were all very nervous. The big pro teams had set up their tents in the team parking area and were sitting on their trainers pedaling furiously. Out team manager Jacob Crummy had registered us the previous day and was helping each of us get ready to warm up (as none of us had trainers) along the river front. We were give the opportunity to warm up on the TT course for a little while before the start which was helpful in familiarization however out little team had ridden it the day before to make sure we knew the route. The TT consisted of a 7.7 mile (12.4km) slightly undulating out and back course along Mississippi River Blvd. in Saint Paul. With a start time of 8.30am for the TT our first team member was Julie Cutts, being a good time trialist, Julie hit the course hard with a time of 18.49.7 placing her in 29th position on GC. Amber Gaffney was next and also an exceptional time trialist she smashed the course to finish 10th on GC in a time of 18.00.9. following Amber was Melina Bernecker(56th),then Jenny Rios (50th) and finally Holly Breck (65th). All the SC Velo - Empower Coaching girls put in a solid effort finishing well under 20 minutes in a field of 95 women including some of Americas best female cyclist. The TT was won by Carmen Small (Optum) in a time of 17.30.4 second was Jackie Crowell (EXERGY 21) and third was Amber Neben (Specialized-Lululemon). Amber Gaffney placed 10th and 2nd in the Cat 2 Amateur Lead Jersey Competition. Heading home to rest up for stage 2 that evening we all felt reasonably happy with our efforts and were looking forward to the criterium and getting Amber the Cat 2 yellow Jersey.