Race Report for Stage 2 Nature Valley Grand Prix

Written by Melina Bernecker With the legs nice and warmed up from the mornings Time Trial (Stage 1) the criterium took place in downtown St Paul. Surrounded by beautiful old buildings the 1 mile loop zig zag’ed its way around the old market square. The 28 lap race consisted of 5 corners and relatively narrow streets getting a good starting position was vital, as we warmed up on the course the girls began staging at least 45 minutes before the race start time. Finally we were called to stage and the formalities began with the top 5 riders being called up as well as several national criterium champions. As we pulled up to the start line we received our instructions and stood quietly to the national anthem. The nervous energy was building as all 95 competitors waited for the gun. As we raced towards the first corner the pace was fast from the get go, jostling for position the girls dived into corners to make up places and rode very aggressively making for a dangerous race. A few of the girls tried attacking and riding off the front but nothing seemed to really stick until Loren Rowney (Lululemon) managed to get a 7 second break in the last 12 or so laps of the race and managed to stay away for a few laps before the Optimum girls reeled her back in. As the pace increased in the straights and then would dramatically drop in the corners the last 6 or so laps of the race were crazy with riders taking unnecessary and dangerous risks by chopping wheels changing lines mid corner and generally just pushing and shoving, Having just 4 laps to go Melina Bernecker who was riding up the front with Jenny Rios (our designated sprinter) dropped back slightly to find Amber Gaffney (currently placed 9th on GC) to bring her to the front for the finish. Coming out of turn 1 a young TIBCO girls squeezed Melina to the fence and tangles handlebars causing a big crash, Amber who was now on Melina’s wheel and Holly Breck behind Amber also came crashing down. The total pile up included about 10 girls of whom most were ok and got back up to chase the pack. Amber got straight back up and started to chase also on the officials instructions, Holly was hurt having landed on her head also had a broken rear derailler and wheel, Melina was also hurt having landed on her tail bone with lots of load rash and both were unable to race the remaining three laps. Julie Cutts was a few places behind the crash and managed to avoid coming down but lost time to the front group due to the delay. Theresa Cliff Ryan (Exergy 21) won the sprint to the finish with Leah Kirchmann and Carman Small (Optimum) hot on her heels. Jenny Rios finished in 19th place with Melina Bernecker, Holly Breck and Amber Gaffney all receiving pro rated times to finish in the pack 7 seconds behind the winner in 50, 51 & 54th place and Julie Cutts in 65th place (51 seconds back). Following the race Amber Gaffney was treated for a joint separation in her right shoulder (having chased the group and finished the race!!! Holly Breck had a mild concussion and Melina Bernecker a severely bruised tail bone. We dragged our sorry and sore bodies to the nearest restaurant that would take us to wallow in pizza and pasta… as Frederich Nietzsche once said “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” so we will go on to battle stage 3.