Nature Valley Grand Prix - NE/NRC

Minnesota, USA, June 8-12, 2005

Photography

Stage 1 - June 8: Saint Paul Riverfront Time Trial, 5 miles

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Images by Caroline Yang/Caroline Yang Photography

Bobby Lea (Northwestern Mortgage) had a strong top-ten finish.
Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) comes in second at 10".
Garrett Peltonen completes a 2-3 finish for Advantage Benefits/Endeavour.
Danny Pate (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) into the home stretch.
Gord Fraser (Health Net presented by Maxxis) powering down along the Mississippi River bank.
Tyler Farrar (Health Net presented by Maxxis) charging past an earlier rider.
Paul Deninger (Mercy-Specialized) powers through the return leg of the out-and-back 5k.
Erik Saunders (McGuire-Laugdale) zooming in on the finish.
Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) begins the prologue.
Reid Mumford (ABD) sets off for the 5k TT.
Local star Dale Sedgwick (Bianchi/Grand Performance) powers to a 17th place finish.
Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance) brings home the stage one victory.
A cheerful Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance) prepares for the podium.
Kimberly Baldwin (T-Mobile) cruises to a strong 2nd finish.
Syrae Weikle (Sports Garage/Titus) in full aero position.
Katie Mactier was the third top-ten finisher for T-Mobile.
Kristin Danielson (Ford-Basis) is off for a smooth start.
Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) sets out for a strong prologue.
Michelle Beltran (Colavita/Cooking Light) fighting through the final km.
Brook Ourada (T-Mobile) streaks along the St. Paul riverfront.
Erinne Willock (Webcor) in perfect TT form.
Grace Fleury is the top Quark finisher at 5th place.
Christine Thorburn's (Webcor) winning time of 9'32" would place her 44th among the male pros.
Laura Van Gilder (Quark) hangs on for 11th place.
Christine Thorburn (Webcor) overtaking Megan Esmonde (Colavita) in the final meters.

Images by Frank Rowe

Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) set a fast early time on the 5-mile TT course. Her 9'56 would be good enough for seventh place.
Nicole "Snerf" Freedman (Ford-Basis) - occasional cyclingnews diarist Snerf put on a good show.
Gina Grain (Victory Brewing) was last year's Nature Valley Grand Prix sprint champ.
Felicia Greer (Webcor) put in a top-10 ride today.
Kimberly Baldwin (T-Mobile) put in a huge effort to finish with the second-best time of 9'46.
The local Velo Bella squad was well-represented in the race.
Colavita/Cooking Light rider Jennifer Reither conquers the only "climb" on a mostly flat course.
Tina Pic (Quark) gets the attention of the press motorbike.
With downtown St. Paul providing a backdrop Murray Carter (Team Manitoba/Alter Ego) approaches the TT’s turnaround point.
Gord Fraser (Health Net pb Maxxis) finished just outside the top 10 today.
A little bit of scenery – Nathan Miller (Monex) rides alongside the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.
Local rider David Dow (Bianchi/Grand Performance) seems to be racing against the train as well as the clock.
Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) had the afternoon’s second-best time.
It’s not a steep hill - but it still causes plenty of pain. Josh Gewirtz (Fiordifrutta).
En route to a seventh place in today’s TT, Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) gives our photographer the evil eye.
Daniel Harm (Recycled Cycles) mashes a big gear on the TT’s only uphill section.

Images by Matthew Moses/www.moses-images.com

Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) rode to a 7th place finish in 9'56"310
2nd Place finisher Kimberly Baldwin (T-Mobile) finished in 9'46"690
Gina Grain (Victory Brewing) powers out of start house to start the 4.5 mile course.
Tamyra Barnard (Team Terry) took 1st place for the Best Category 3 Rider Classification
Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) took the Under 26 Classification
Kori Seehafer (T-Mobile) - 3rd place on the stage in 9'47"690
Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders) the 99th rider off, set the best time for the women in 9'32"150.
Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders) finishes her rider and becomes the race leader.
The women's podium - Left to Right: Kim Baldwin (T-Mobile), Christine Thorburn (Webcor), Kori Seehafer (T-Mobile)
Bobby Lea (Team Northwestern Mortgage) finished in a time of 8'59" to take the Top Amateur and Best Young Rider Classifications.
Previous NVGP Champion John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) brings it home into 8th place with a time of 9'03"
Bernard Van Ulden (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) has a solid start and finishes in 5th with a time of 8'57"
Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance) gets interviewed by Cyclingnews reporter Kristy Scrymgeour
The Men's Podium - Garrett Peltonen (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour), Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team) and Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour)
Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance) wins the first stage at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in a time of 8'40", 10 seconds faster than 2nd place rider Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour Cycling Team). His wife Kimberly finished 2nd in the womens event.
Danny Pate (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) crosses the line for 4th place in a time of 8'55"

Stage 2 - June 9: Mankato Road Race, 91/86 miles

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Images by Matthew Moses/www.moses-images.com

The field rolls through the Mankato country side
Christine Thorburn (Webcor) rounds the last corner and makes it home to take the win
Kori Seehafer (T-Mobile), Nicole Freedman (Ford-Basis), and Tina Pic (Quark) head to the line in the race for second place.
Tyler Farrar (Health Net) and Erik Saunders (McGuire/Langdale) lead the break through the start finish area with a few laps to go
John Lieswyn (Health Net) takes the stage

Stage 3 - June 10: Minneapolis Downtown Classic criterium, 60/40 minutes

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Images by Caroline Yang/Caroline Yang Photography

Audrey Lemieux (Quark) preparing for the start.
A relaxed pack of racers wait for the stars to be announced.
Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) contemplating the race ahead.
Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) kicks off the race with an early breakaway.
Annette Beutler (Quark) in the Queen of the Mountains jersey and finishes a strong 11th.
Katherine Carroll (Ford Basis) in great position as she takes the curve.
Katie Mactier (T-Mobile) powers through the early stage of the race.
A crash in the peloton proves to be a significant disruption.
A Ford Basis rider tracking her line.
Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) taking her position at the head of the peloton.
Track World Champion Katie Mactier focused on the tight corner.
A persistent Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) on another solo breakaway in the final laps.
Rebecca Much (T-Mobile) pounds her way to a strong 6th place finish.
Laura Van Gilder (Quark) leading the final chase after Teutenberg in the last few laps.
The bunch sprint to the finish line, with Ina Teutenberg taking the win.
Eric Saunders (McGuire/Laugdale) looking confident as riders prepare at the start.
John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) making friends at the startline.
Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) worked hard to defend the leaders jersey.
Aaron Olson (Colavita) led the 3-man break away early in the race.
Fredrick Mariano (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) cruises through a tight corner.
Lieswyn comfortably staying with the main pack.
The peloton graced the streets of downtown Minneapolis.
Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) led the Health Net train in the final laps.
Just moments before his disastrous crash Matt Dubberley pushed ahead of the pack.
Danny Pate working hard to lead the Jelly Belly train.
With one lap to go Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) takes a glance at his lead.
Shawn Milne celebrates his victory.
The Minneapolis crowd enthusiastically cheered the racers on.
Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) shares his thoughts on the evening's results.

Images by Matthew Moses/www.moses-images.com

Track world champion Katie Mactier (T-Mobile) gets focused before the start of the women's race.
The women's field takes the line as introductions begin.
Laura Van Gilder (Quark Cycling Team) opens a gap on the field in route to sprint points that earned her the Sprinters jersey by 1 point over her teammate Tina Pic.
Gina Grain (Victory Brewing) made an attempt at a solo breakaway but was absorbed by the field and finished 7th in the stage.
Ina Yoko Teutenberg (T-Mobile) celebrates the win with Rochelle Gilmore (Victory Brewing) taking 2nd and Laura Van Gilder (Quark Cycling Team) taking 3rd in the Minneapolis stage.
John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) and Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance), 1st and 2nd in the general classification, kept a close eye on each other.
Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) sets the pace with his teamates Gord Fraser and John Lieswyn on his wheel.
Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) celebrates his stage victory and moves into 1st place in the general classification.

Images by Bruce Adelsman/Skinnyski.com

Hitting the first lap onto Nicollet Mall
The women's pack holding tight
Quark pressing the pace at the front
Hanging tight
T-Mobile working well
On to Nicollet Mall crowds lined deep
Rounding one of the tight corners
Women's QOM leading the charge
John Lieswyn (Health Net) near the front on the men's first lap
Keeping focused
The pack winds through the tricky corner on Nicollet Mall
Tight grouping
Early break
John Lieswyn sticking near the front
Shoulder to shoulder
Another break attempt
Health Net reels in the breakaway
Still off the front
Crowds line the course
Diners on Nicollet Mall taking in the race
Downtown skyline towers over the pack

Images by Frank Rowe

The women’s field lines up for the start of the Minneapolis Downtown Classic, Stage 3 of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
Early on, overall leader Christine Thorburn (Webcor) sits comfortably in the middle of the pack.
Climbing leader Annette Beutler (Quark) in the red spotted jersey, leads one of the early laps.
Post-crash damage assessment - riders inspect their equipment at the neutral Shimano support tent, and await their free lap.
Local amateur riders, like Cat.3 Paula Plant (Birchwood/GIS) get a chance to mix it up with the seasoned pros.
T-Mobile and TDS-Schwalbe lead the women’s field around one of the tight corners on the downtown crit course.
The women are all concentration during the high-speed cornering.
Kim Baldwin (T-Mobile).
An unidentified Webcor rider is safely tucked into the colorful peloton.
Webcor’s Katheryn Curi leads the field through a sharp left.
The pre-race call-up. John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) and Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) shake on it.
Fellow photographers capture the start of the men’s race.
John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) and Dave McCook (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel).
An early break with riders from Jelly Belly-Pool Gel, Navigators, and Colavita Olive Oil–Sutter.
Advantage Benefits/Endeavour goes on the attack …
… and Health Net has to chase.
Several Monex riders in the bunch.
Local rider Dale Sedgwick (Bianchi/Grand Performance).
The Flanders/MBRC team adds more local color to the race.
Stage winner Shawn Milne (Navigators) explains how he did it.

Stage 4 - June 11: Red Wing Road Race, 101/94 miles

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Images by Matthew Moses/www.moses-images.com

The women's field rolls through the countryside prior to encountering rain, lightning, and high winds
Rebecca Much (T-Mobile) leads Christine Thorburn (Webcor) and the rest of break through the last few corners
The lead group: Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefit/Endeavour), Danny Pate (Jelly Belly) and Gord Fraser (Health Net) pass through the start finish with 3 laps to go
Shawn Milne (Navigators) leads the chase group through the start finish in pursuit of the 3-rider breakaway
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) passes by Deb Mathiesen and her groom, one of several weddings happening around the finish circuit today
Gord Fraser (Health Net) gets out of the saddle and sprints to the line, leaving Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefit/Endeavour) and Danny Pate (Jelly Belly) behind
Gord Fraser (Health Net) celebrates his stage win as Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefit/Endeavour) looks back to find how close Danny Pate (Jelly Belly) is

Stage 5 - June 12: Stillwater Criterium, 60/50 minutes

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Images by Caroline Yang/Caroline Yang Photography

John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) looking forward to reclaiming the G.C. jersey.
Gordon Fraser (Health Net pb Maxxis) was the winner of the previous stage in Southern Minnesota.
The peloton rolls out for the finale of the 5-stage series.
Gordon Fraser (Health Net pb Maxxis) flanked by a few of the hometown talents.
Dustin MacBurnie (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) gathering speed for another charge up the infamous Chilkoot Hill.
Gord Fraser (Health Net pb Maxxis) sheparding team leader John Lieswyn.
St. Paul rider Ben Raby (Grand Performance) in the hunt for a top stage finish.
Steve Tilford (Saddlewood) descending into a tight turn.
Brian Jensen (Saddlewood) in the top Amateur jersey.
Danny Pate (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) in the climber's polka dot jersey.
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) tries his luck with a short-lived, mid-race attack.
Eric Saunders (McGuire/Langdale) resting up for the next charge up Chilkoot Hill.
Aaron Olson (Colavita/Sutter Home) looking to be in the money at Stillwater.
Danny Pate (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) showing his climbing prowess on the 24 percent Chilkoot ascent.
John Lieswyn's (Health Net pb Maxxis) strong riding had him in the virtual leader's jersey with three laps to go.
Race leader Shawn Milne (Navigators) finally cracked in the final laps of the race.
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) checking his lead with only meters to go to the finish line.
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) sprints clear towards the stage victory.
Stage winner Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) with a double-fisted celebration.
Aric Hareland (Salsa) puts in a strong finish for the Minneapolis-based Salsa Cycles/Super Team Racing.
A content Ben Raby (Grand Performance) enjoying his second place stage finish.
Jonathan Page (Colavita) Richard England (Advantage Mortgage/Endeavors) and Ben Raby (Grand Perfomance) are top three in the difficult finale of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
After five days of exciting racing G.C. winner John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) shares the podium with Aaron Olson (Colavita) and Brian Jensen (HRRC/Saddlewood Bikesource Specialized).
Aaron Olson (Colavita) sharing some post-race champagne with winner John Liewsyn (Health Net pb Maxxis).
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) sitting number 6 in the G.C. at the start of the final stage.
Women's field at the start in Stillwater, MN.
The women first up the infamous Chilkoot Hill.
Tina Pic (Quark) in the sprinter's jersey.
Kimberly Baldwin (T-Mobile) keeping an eye on Lynn Gaggioli (Monex).
Christine Thorburn (Webcor) has kept the leader's jersey since the opening stage.
Felicia Greer (Webcor) cresting the big climb.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) leading the pack down the base of the course.
The women's lead pack charging up the 24 percent grade.
Annette Beutler (Quark) hoping to repeat last year's victory at Stillwater.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) launches a decisive assault on the uphill finish.
The final fierce attack by Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) yielded no response from the tired lead pack.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) celebrates her impressive victory atop Chilkoot Hill.
Audrey Lemieux (Quark) finished strong for Team Quark.
Erinne Willock (Webcor) and Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) are joined by local rider Teresa Moriarty (Flanders) as the stage's top finishers.
The women's GC podium - Tina Pic (Quark), Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders), and Kori Seehafer (T-Mobile)

Images by Matthew Moses/www.moses-images.com

Annette Beutler (Quark) gets prepared before the start.
Radio check... Tina Pic (Quark) checks her radio before the start.
Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) in the best young rider's jersey, relaxes before the start.
The lead pack of women contained all the GC leaders and the current leaders in the Climbing (Annette Beutler/Quark), Sprint (Tina Pic/Quark), Young Rider (Erinne Willock/Webcor Builders), and GC (Christine Thorburn/Webcor Builders) competitions.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) attacks and tries to open a gap at the top of Chilkoot Hill with a few laps remaining.
Minneapolis rider Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC) tucked in the lead pack, finished 3rd in today's stage.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) celebrates her win in the final stage
The youngster and the veteran - Tyler Farrar (Health Net pb Maxxis) and John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) before the start of the final stage.
From the gun the pack tackles Chilkoot Hill.
Karl Menzies (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) leads his teammates through the start area. For their consistent riding Advantage Benefits/Endeavour captured the Team General Classification.
The women's podium from today's stage: (L to R) - Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders), Lynn Gaggioli (Monex), and Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC)
Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) isolated and alone forges on trying to limit the damage to his race lead.
Ben Raby (Bianchi/Grand Performance) looks back at a charging John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) during the last few laps of the race.
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) celebrates the stage win while Ben Raby (Bianchi/Grand Performance) and Jonathon Page (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter) battle for 2nd.
The classification for the Best Young Rider - Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) holds the trophy and is flanked by Audrey Lemieux (Quark) and Alisha Lion (Ford-Basis)
The final podium for the women's general classification: Tina Pic (Quark), Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders), Kori Seehafer (T-Mobile).
The Quark Team takes the overall women's Team General Classification.
Tyler Farrar (Health Net pb Maxxis) holds up the trophy for the Best Young Rider.
Tyler Farrar (Health Net pb Maxxis) holds up the trophy for the Best Young Rider.
The final General Classification podium - John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) flanked by Brian Jensen (HRRC/Saddlewood Bikesource Specialized) and Aaron Olson (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter). Brian Jensen was also the top amateur.

Images by Frank Rowe

T-Mobile’s Kori Seehafer before the start of today’s final stage. Kori finished third overall.
The women begin the first climb of Chilkoot Hill.
With the historic Stillwater Bridge in the background, the women’s field contests the final stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
Early in the race best climber Annette Beutler (Quark) leads at the top of Chilkoot.
It’s a struggle to get up the climb.
Megan Elliott (Bianchi/Grand Performance) crests the hill.
Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC).
Team Lipton adds some color to the race.
Michelle Beltran (Colavita/Cooking Light)
Laura Van Gilder (Quark) fights to reach the top.
Kate Sherwin (Victory Brewing).
With one lap to go there’s still a large group at the front.
Webcor chasing on the last lap.
Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) wins the final stage!
Best young rider Erinne Willock (Webcor) puts in a final effort to finish second.
John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) and Shawn Milne (Navigators) have a chat at the start. Coming into the final stage, Liewsyn was second overall, and Milne was the leader.
A Salsa Cycles rider leads on one of the early climbs.
Danny Pate (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel) kept the mountains jersey after today’s stage.
Gord Fraser (Health Net pb Maxxis).
Erik Saunders (Mcguire/Langdale) is the picture of concentration while negotiating a corner.
On a lone chase, mid-race.
Chris Doig (Flanders/MBRC)
Adrian Hegyvary (Recycled Cycles).
Climbing Chilkoot.
ABD (Athletes by Design) teammates crest the top of the climb.
Overall leader going into the final stage Shawn Milne (Navigators) struggled today on the climbs.
John Lieswyn (Health Net pb Maxxis) overcame a 21-second deficit to take the General Classification.
Richard England (Advantage Benefits/Endeavour) wins the stage!
Start ’em young! Nature Valley Grand Prix race director Dave LaPorte starts the kids’ race.