Nature Valley Grand Prix - NE

USA, June 14-18, 2006

Photography

Stage 5 - June 18: Stillwater Criterium,

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Images by Caroline Yang/www.carolineyang.com

Tina Pic (Colavita/Cooking Light) at the start.
The women's peloton going up the big climb.
Christine Thorburn (Webcor-Platinum) was not able stay in contact with Armstrong.
Local rider Teresa Moriarty (Flanders) was determined not to let the tough hill get the best of her.
Catherine Walberg (Kenda Tires) puts in all her effort to crest the climb.
The breakaway trio of Kristin Armstrong (Webcor-Platinium), Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple) and Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail).
Kristin Wentworth (America's Dairlyland) showing the difficulty of the big climb.
Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple) dropped her breakaway mates to take to final climb.
Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple) celebrates her stage victory at the hill-top finish.
Stage winner Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple).
Alex Wrubleski (Team Biovail) is the best young rider of the 2006 NVGP.
The podium - (L-R) Kori Seehafer and Kristin Armstrong of Team Lipton and Christine Thorburn (Webcor-Platinium) on are top three in the final GC standing
The leaders of the Women's Prestige Series get a podium surprise.
Greg Henderson (Health Net / Maxxis) begins the day in yellow.
The men's field scaling the Chilkoote hill en masse early in the race.
Team Health Net/Maxxis controling the pack.
Minnesota rider Jarred Berger (Grandstay) cranks out the hill-repeat.
Siro Camponogara of the Navigators.
Team Einstein's Jason Donald and Toyota-United's Ivan Stevic were part of the breakaway group.
The Health Net train became a familiar sight in this NVGP.
Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly) in the breakaway group.
Greg Henderson and the Health Net squad finally give chase in the final laps.
Frank Pipp (TargeTraining) in the sprinters jersey.
Reid Mumford (Athletes by Design) ended the race as the top Amateur finisher.
Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) surprised all with a strong last surge to steal the stage victory.
Stage winner Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) after a hard day on the saddle.
Alex Boyd takes the Best Young Rider's Jersey with a strong final stage.
It's all Health Net/Maxxis atop the GC podium with (L-R) Greg Henderson, Karl Menzies, and Nathan O'Neill.

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

Erinne Willock (Webcor Platinum ) staying cool at the start.
Alex Wrubleski (Team Biovail Pro Cycling) was sitting only 2 seconds behind in the your rider competition at the start of stage 5.
The women's field assualts Chilkoote Hill for the first time.
Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail Pro Cycling) attacked early in the race starting the break and earned herself the SportsPro Most Aggressive award for Stage 5.
Brooke Miller (PABW pb Tibco) gets a splash of water to cool off.
The main chase group crests the hill.
Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail Pro Cycling) leads her two break away companions (Ulmer/Jazz Apple Cycling and Armstrong/Team Lipton) past the finish line.
Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple Cycling Team) celebrates the stage win in Stillwater.
Blue skies and sun greated the means field for the start of the race in Stillwater.
The men's field is still together as they climb the Chilkoote Hill on the second lap.
Early on, Health Net controlled the front of the race.
Jason Donald (Team Einstein's Cycling) won the Stage 5 Most Aggressive Rider for instigating a solo break that was later joined by stage winner Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team)
Jeff Corbett calls out instructions to the Health Net team.
Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly), Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) and Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) increase their lead on the Healthnet controlled field.
Late in the race Freewheel Bike Sprint leader Frank Pipp (Target Training) takes a flyer off the front of the field.
Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) raises a hand to celebrate the Stillwater Stage win.
The crowds that cheered the riders up Chilkoote Hill stream down to the awards presentation.
The stage 5 podium - (L-to-R) Alex Wrubleski (Team Biovail), Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple Cycling), and Kori Seehafer (Team Lipton).
The final General Classification podium - (L-to-R) Kori Seehafer (Team Lipton), Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton), Christine Thorburn (Webcor-Platinum)
The jersey leaders for the three part Women's Prestige Cycling Series: Sprint - Brooke Miller (PABW pb Tibco), GC - Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton), Best Young Rider - Erinne Willock (Webcor-Platium)
No surprises here as Team Lipton takes the Team General Classification.
The stage 5 podium - (L-to-R) Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly), Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United), Jonathon Page (Colavita Sutter Home)
The final General Classification podium - (L-to-R) Greg Henderson, Karl Menzies, Nathan O'Neil all from Healthnet presented by Maxxis.
Like the women, no surprises with Team GC, it's the guys from Health Net presented by Maxxis.

Images by Frank Rowe

The women near the end of the first lap, with the historic Stillwater liftbridge in the background.
Nicky Wangsgard (Colorado Premier Training - Colnago) takes a flyer on the second lap.
Local rider Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC) leads Brooke Miller (PABW pb TIBCO) through a corner.
Sprint classification winner Brooke Miller (PABW pb TIBCO) looking strong early in the race.
A duo of TRIA riders reaches the top of Chilkoot hill.
A lone Cheerwine rider puts some distance between herself and a chase group.
Fans at the top of Chilkoot hill help to cool off a Team Biovail rider.
Overall leader Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) is shadowed by mountains leader Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple).
Alison Powers (Rio Grande/Sports Garage) crests the brutal Chilkoot hill.
From lap two until the bell lap, Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple), Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail), and Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) led the field.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) finished third on the day and second overall.
Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple) wins the Stillwater stage and retains the QOM.
Dave McCook (Jelly Belly) fuels up on some on his sponsor's Sport Beans before the stage.
Led by the Health Net squad the men's field snakes its way to the base of Chilkoot hill.
The ageless Steve Tilford (Trek/Shimano) leads the field in an early break.
The men's field, mid-race.
The main field is trailed by the TV motorbike and a race official.
Bernard van Ulden (fourth overall) was well protected by his Navigators teammates.
Jason Donald (Team Einstein's Cycling) - stage 5's Most Aggressive Rider, is trailed by eventual stage winner Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team) and Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly).
The powerful Health Net squad with overall leader Greg Henderson, puts on an impressive chase.
Mountains leader Hilton Clarke (Navigators) makes a late move.
Heading into today's final stage Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) led by just 4 seconds over teammate Karl Menzies.
Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) wins the stage ahead of Caleb Manion (Jelly Belly).
After finishing just 12 seconds behind the stage winner, Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis) took several minutes to recover from his heroic effort.
It's Fathers' Day! - Jonathon Page (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter) finished third in today's stage.

Stage 4 - June 17: Mankato Road Race,

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

With call-ups complete the women's field waits for the official start.
Still a 100 riders strong the women's field rolls along.
Heading to the first sprint of the day, and Team Lipton was dictating the pace.
Brandon Gavic (Wheel & Sprocket) attempted a solo breakaway and built a 40 second lead before being caught 5 miles later.
For the peloton another day of green fields, sun, and wind out on the rural roads of Minnesota.
No time for feeding as Health Net kept the speed high right through the feed zone.
Clear of the feed zone and riding into the cross wind, the break away was established with Healthnet pushing the pace.
In the women's race a 7 rider break formed shortly after the feed zone and built a 40 second lead before being reabsorbed by the field.
Sports Beans King of the Hill Leader Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team) leads Nathan O'Neal (Healthnet pb Maxxis)
The birthday boy Karl Menzies (Health Net pb Maxxis) takes stage 4 over his teammate Greg Henderson (Healthnet pb Maxxis).
Dave Towle announces the stage podium (L-to-R) Greg Henderson (Healthnet pb Maxxis), Karl Menzies (Healthnet pb Maxxis), and Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team).
The new men's GC leader Greg Henderson (Health Net pb Maxxis)
As the women hit the circuit the field is once again all together with Team Lipton at the front.
Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) raises her hands as she convincingly takes the win in Stage 4.
Kori Seehafer (Team Lipton) takes the sprint for 2nd place.
Stage 4's Mankato Road Race Podium (L to R) Kori Seehafer (Team Lipton), Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton), Alex Wrubleski (Team Biovail)
Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) once again raises her hands as the GC leader of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

Stage 3 - June 16: Minneapolis Downtown Classic, 60/40 min

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Images by Caroline Yang/www.carolineyang.com

The ageless wonder Steve Tilford (Trek/Shimano) preparing for another victory.
Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators Insurance) is sitting pretty in 4th place GC at 13 seconds back.
Nathan O'Neill (Health Net /Maxxis) leads the Health Net stranglehold in the GC race
Local rider Ben Raby sports the new Bianchi / Grand Performance jersey.
Jelly Belly rider Caleb Manion enjoying the festivities at the start.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) focusing on staying upright in the treacherous conditions.
The race is on amidst a June Thunderstorm.
The NVGP's race through downtown Minneapolis has become a great local sporting tradition.
Nathan O'Neill (Health Net/Maxxis) guided by the dominant Health Net squad.
The heavy rain turned the city streets into a mid-summer skating rink.
The riders needed much focus and a bit of luck to stay rubber side down.
Faithful fans endured the tempestuous weather to watch the top US riders.
The sight of the riders in the storm darkened streetscape was surreal.
Minneapolis rider Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC) was third in yesterday's stage.
Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) in control of the leader's jersey
The Grand Dame of US cycling Tina Pic (Colavita/Cooking Light).
Kristin Armstrong guided by Team Lipton teammate.
Sara Tillotson (Colavita/Cooking Light) negotiating a turn on the weather shortened race
Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) paced the lead pack for several of the final laps.
Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) takes the women's final sprint finish.

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

Severe weather was the story of the day with significant hail accumilation
The hail, wind and water took its toll on the early race setup efforts
The rain was fast and furious causing the sewer main to dance in the air.
Hail up to a quarter inch in size gathered around the course prior to the women's start.
Team Lipton rider Meredith Miller glances back for her teammates before the start of stage 3.
Four time criterium national champion Tina Pic (Colavita/ Cooking Light Cycling Team) is announced to the crowd.
Former world champion Katie Mactier (Argon 18/Champion Systems) prepares for the start of stage 3.
Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple Cycling Team) the current Sportbeans Queen of the Hill jersey leader.
The ever smiling Erinne Willock (Webcor-Platium Women's Cycling Team) sports the BMC Best Young Rider Jersey.
Kelly Benjamin (Cheerwine) settles in at the start line
Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) takes a flyer off the front in route to the first time bonus sprint of the evening.
Anne Samplonius and her Team Biovail teammates tried attacking the Team Lipton lead peloton
Laura Van Gilder and her Team Lipton teamates stayed up front and in control of stage 3.
Stage 2's winner and current Freewheel Bikes Sprint jersey leader Brooke Miller (PABW powered by Tibco) chases back to the pack after free laps had expired.
Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) just nips Katharine Carroll (Victory Brewing Team) at the line to win stage 3.
Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team) relaxed and smiling before the start of stage 3.
Stage 2's Sports Pro Most Aggressive Rider Martin Gilbert (Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling Team)
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United Pro Cycling Team) rolls forward for call-ups on stage 3, traditionally the sprinters stage.
Jonathon Page (Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter) leads the fields through the start finish just before the first points sprint.
Martin Gilbert (Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling Team) leads Greg Henderson (Healthnet pb Maxxis) through the first turn.
The Jelly Belly team puts in an attack trying to shake things up in the race.
A TargeTraining rider makes his way towards the first turn as the rain gets heavier.
Steve Tilford (Trek/Shimano) celebrates the abbreviated final sprint, ultimately the stage was actually cancelled due to severe weather.
In the end, the men raced just short of 19 minutes.

Images by Frank Rowe

A hailstorm delayed the women's start for a half hour.
Cheerwine teammates await the delayed start.
The women's race gets under way in downtown Minneapolis.
The colorful women's field hits the first wet corner.
There were no crashes despite the slick conditions.
The women's field keeping it rubber-side-down.
Team Biovail's Joelle Numainville rounds the corner onto Nicollet Mall.
Race leader Nathan O'Neill (Health Net presented by Maxxis) in a light mood before the men's start.
It's important to choose the right eyewear for a late-evening downtown criterium.
What a mess!
The men's race started in wet conditions ...
... and it only got worse ...
... and worse until the race was finally cancelled.
Afterwards, several soggy members of the GrandStay/Out-N-About Gear team took shelter in a nearby parking garage.

Stage 2 - June 15: Cannon Falls Road Race, 60 miles

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

A relaxed Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) chats with fans before the start.
The first Sport Beans Queen of the Hill points were taken by Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Apple Cycling Team) follwed by Webcor's Felicia Gomez. Sarah finished the race as the leader in the Sport Beans Queen of the Hill competition.
The 133 rider strong women's field fills the road as the continue towards the 1 mile gravel section.
The men's breakaway crests a hill before they make the turn into the crosswind secction of the course.
It's all sun and wind as the break powered themselve to almost a 2 minute lead halfway through the race.
Navigators Insurance's Bernard Van Ulden made the selection into the 16 rider break and remains the only none Healthnet rider in the top 5.
Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team) claims the 3rd KOM sprint, insures himself the lead in the Sport Beans King of the Hill Compeition.
The men's breakaway saw a lot of sun, green fields, and warm gusts of wind through the afternoon.
Gord Fraser (Healthnet pb Maxxis) assumes lead out duties with 2 laps to go on the final circuit.
And the winner of Stage 2 is Greg Henderson (Healthnet pb Maxxis)
Greg Henderson (Healthnet pb Maxxis) is all smiles as he reflects on his successful string of June wins.
The women's breakaway passes through the start/finish area for the first of three laps on the 1.9 mile circuit.
Brooke Miller (PABW Powered by TIBCO) beats Sarah Ulmer (Jazz Cycling Team) and Teresa Moriarty (Flanders/MBRC) to the line.
Brooke Miller (PABW Powered by TIBCO) is overcome with joy after hearing the official call that she won stage 2.
Brooke Miller and her team director celebrate the stage 2 win for their PAWB powered by TIBCO team.

Images by Jim Wellbrock

Navigators attacks on the first K.O.M.
Health net controls the front of the race
The women's peloton on the first climb
A Kenda rider on the first K.O.M.
A rider crests the climb near Vasa, MN
Greg Henderson takes the win
Brooke Miller (PABW Powered by TIBCO) takes the stage win

Stage 1 - June 14: Saint Paul Riverfront Time Trial, 4.5 miles

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Images by Caroline Yang/www.carolineyang.com

Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) won the opening stage time trial along the St Paul Waterfront
Christine Thorburn (Webcor-Platinum) finished the day in second, six seconds behind Armstrong
Alison Powers (Rio Grande/Sports Garage) finished third on stage 1
Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) with a strong performance for Team Lipton.
A strong ride put Erinne Willock (Webcor-Platinum) in sixth place and earned her the Best Young Rider jersey.
Brooke Ourada (Colorado Premier Training/Colnago) speeds down the 4.5 mile time-trial course.
Joelle Numainville (Team Biovail) passes Pamela Hinton (TRIA) on her way in to the finish.
Nicky Wangsgard (Colorado Premier Training/Colnago) overtook two people, including Lauren Koedyk (Jazz Apple).
Megan Monroe (Colorado Premier Training/Colnago) focusing on the final push to the finish.
Marisa Asplund (Colorado Premier Training/Colnago) gave a solid performance and placed in the top 30.
Stefano Barberi (Toyota-United Pro) took the best young rider's jersey after stage 1
Reid Mumford (ABD) was all smiles on the podium after stage 1
Greg Henderson (Health Net) showed great form after his Philly win with third in the time trial
A smiling Nathan O'Neill has a chat after taking the opening stage time trial
Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators) is congratulated by his partner after a solid second place
A Jelly Belly rider comes in
Karl Menzies (Health Net Maxxis) with a strong 4th place finish.
Jonathan Swain (CRCA/Sakonnet Technology) heads to the finish.
His highness "Hollywood" Henderson (Hollywood Cycles/Silver Cycling) graces the St. Paul river flats.
Gord Fraser (Health Net Maxxis) & team mates have the field seeing green.
Bryce Mead (ABD Cycling Team) on the final stretch.
Rising star Bajadali (Jelly Belly)
Twin Cities boy wonder Aric Hareland mixing it up with the top professionals.
Guy East (CRCA/Sakonnet Technology) finished within the top fifty.
Guy East (CRCA/Sakonnet Technology).
Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) grimacing in the final meters.
Nathan O'Neill (Health Net Maxxis) with the winning ride of 8:21.
Local strongman Doug Swanson (Nature Valley Racing Team) charging to an impressive 7th place finish.
The men's podium (l-r): Bernard Van Ulden, Nathan O'Neill and Greg Henderson

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

Lauren Franges (Victory Brewing Team) heads out on the course.
Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) was one of the riders being watched today, she ended up in 20th place 45 seconds back.
Last years NVGP overall winner Christine Thorburn (Webcor-Platinum Women's Cycling Team) finished 2nd on the day in a time of 9'31"960
Alison Powers (Rio Grande/Sports Garage) was 3rd place in stage 1 with a time of 9'45"280
Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) the stage 1 winner with a time of 9'25"390
Candice Blickem (Aaron's Cycling Team) heads into the finish with a time of 10'16"460.
National criterium champion Tina Pic (Colavita/ Cooking Light Cycling Team) finished the day in 6th place with a time of 9'49"380.
Dave McCook (Jelly Belly) rode an easy pace saving his legs for the sprint finish the next couple stages.
Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators) finished 2nd on the day with a time of 8'42"670
Ivan Dominquez (Toyota-United) another sprinter who rode an easy pace in preparation for the finish line sprints ahead.
Lancaster winner Jackson Stewart (Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling Team)
Australian national champion - Nathan O'Neill (Health Net presented by Maxxis) was the champion of Stage 1 with a time of 8'29"790.
The Men's podium - (L-to-R): Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators), Nathan O'Neill (Health Net presented by Maxxis), Greg Henderson (Health Net presented by Maxxis)

Images by Bruce Adelsman/www.skinnyski.com

Heading towards the halfway point, full into the wind
Hitting the short hill on the return
Team Tria shadowed by the media
Kenda rider flying along the riverfront
Local rider for Hollywood Cycles starts out of downtown St. Paul
Revving up to speed
Great form
Navigators rider pouring it on down Warner Rd
Pressing hard back toward the finish
Broadmark rider getting some tailwind help
Team Obrea/Jelly Belly coming back along the riverfront

Images by Frank Rowe

With Mississippi Riverboats providing a backdrop, Laura VanGilder (TEAm Lipton) streaks to a top-20 finish.
Megan Elliot (Argon 18/Champion System) hammers down the backstretch.
One of the best young riders - 18-year-old Natalie Klemko (America’s Dairyland) finished in the top 50.
Robin Farina (Team Kenda Tire) nears the end of the stage 1 time trial.
Allison Beall (TRIA) lays it all on the line.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) powered home to record the fifth-best time, 23 seconds behind Kristin Armstrong.
With St. Paul’s colorful Wabasha Street Bridge behind her, Emilie Roy (Equipe de Quebec) nears the finish line.
Local rider Dale Sedgwick (Bianchi/Grand Performance) posted a respectable time.
Although riders started at 30-second intervals Martin Gilbert (Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada), Matt Muyres (Nature Valley/Penn Cycle), and Greg Henderson (HealthNet) bunched up on the final downhill.
Bernard Van Ulden (Navigators Insurance) posted a fast early time which was good enough for second overall.
Tim Johnson (Health Net) is considered one of the "riders to watch" at this year’s Nature Valley Grand Prix.
Brice Jones looking colorful in the JellyBelly kit.
Shawn Milne (Navigators Insurance) wore the yellow leader’s jersey for several days in last year’s edition of the race.
Pleasure Jackson (Broadmark Capital) looks like he’s taking pleasure in his time trial performance.
Dan Swanson (Nature Valley/Penn Cycle) powers his way down the final hill.
Another appropriate name: Chase Fullerton (VMG Racing) gives chase.
When you're a man by the name of Gordon Fraser (HealthNet), you attract the attention of the TV cameras.
Love that colour combo! Justin Morgan (Broadmark Capital) sports the hot pink shoe covers.
Reid Mumford (ABD Cycling) overtakes his 30-second man Jason Klikna (BMC Racing), en route to the eighth-best time.
Nathan O’Neill (Health Net) was the strongest rider today, winning the 4.5 mile time trial.
Scott Nydam (Rio Grande/Sports Garage) rode to an impressive sixth-best time.