Nature Valley Grand Prix
Minnesota
June 11-15, 2008
Race Report by Kirsten Robbins

The Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light brought strong squads to the five-day, six-stage Nature Valley Grand Prix.  Tina Pic, Iona Wynter Parks, Nichole Wangsgard, Kristin McGrath, Mackenzie Woodring, Andrea Dvorak, Shontell Gauthier, and guest rider Samantha Schneider represented the women’s team; Luis Amaran, Luca Damiani, Davide Frattini, Tyler Wren, Andy Guptill, Anibal Borrajo, Anthony Colby, and guest rider Armando Borrajo rode for the men’s team.

Stage One (Cannon Falls Road Race, 106 kilometers): The original opening stage in downtown St Paul was cancelled due to severe thunderstorms which event officials deemed responsible for unsafe race conditions. The race continued in Cannon Falls, as the “new” stage one.  The Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team completed the first stage with two jerseys:  yellow for US National Criterium Champion Tina Pic, signifying her stage victory and position as overall race leader,  and “Best Young Rider” jersey for teammate Kristin McGrath.

Stage Two (St Paul River Front time trial, 10 kilometers): Strong winds blew throughout the 10-kilometer time trial that paralleled the Mississippi River. A steep one-kilometer climb at the finish added a new challenge to the course.

Stage Three (Downtown Minneapolis Criterium, 60 minutes):  In the women’s race, Tina Pic crossed the line to take second place in the highly aggressive event where team’s vied for the multiple time bonuses offered throughout the route. In the men’s race, Luis Amaran grabbed the Most Aggressive Rider’s jersey after a more than 15-lap breakaway. While Luis was in pursuit of the race victory out front, Luca Damiani set up for the inevitable field sprint where he placed 5th.

Stage Four (Mankato Road Race, 145 kilometers):  In the women’s race, Boost Best Young Rider Kristin McGrath increased her lead over the other young riders when she placed 8th on the grueling Mankato finishing circuits.  Kristin’s performance moved her into 7th in the overall ranking.  In the men’s race, the team’s resident mountain goat Anthony Colby proved to be in good form over the most decisive climb in the finishing circuits to take 2nd for the second consecutive season.  Anthony moved into 6th place overall, followed by teammate Luis Amaran in 9th.

The men’s team continued to represent the Colavita/Sutter Home banner in all of the event’s significant separations. Upon entering the four finishing circuits, Anthony launched himself into orbit over the first ascent and remained solo for two full laps. A reshuffling of riders bridged across to Anthony and the final sprint came down to overall race leader Rory Sutherland (Health Net).

Stage Five (Stillwater Criterium):  In the women’s race, Andrea Dvorak took 4th place at an impressive criterium finale when she initiated an early breakaway of five riders on the decisive Chilkoot Hill, a 22% gradient. Her teammate and Boost Best Young Rider Kristin McGrath followed close behind in 7th place.  Andrea continued to push the pace in the company of the event’s most accomplished climbers Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo-Lifeforce), Anne Samplonius (Cheerwine), Felicia Gomez (Aaron’s), and Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco). In the men’s race, Luca Damiani and Andy Guptill initiated the first of several breakaways during the men’s 60-minute criterium. Teammates Davide Frattini, Luis Amaran, Anibal Borrajo took over in an aggressive fashion sending off several attacks over Chilkoot Hill’s 22% gradient climb to the finish line. Anthony Colby finished in 10th.