Nature Valley Race
Team Rio Grande continued on their successful 2010 season, recently heading across to Minnesota for the Nature Valley Grand Prix. A nationally ranked, 5 day stage race, the Nature Valley Grand Prix attracts both top professional and amateur teams from across the country and the guys were excited to see what they could do. One of the unique aspects of this race was the "Best Amateur Jersey' competition, essentially recognizing the highest placed non professional rider in the field, and for those aspiring to take their cycling to the next level, a great way to stand out in pack. The first few days of the race started well for the guys, despite one of the road stages being canceled only 20 miles in due to tornado warnings in the area! Soon enough it came down to the final stage of the week with Rio Grande rider Chris Winn sitting 3rd in the Best Amateur competition needing only 19 seconds to take the jersey. Finishing with a criterium, normally this wouldn't have been too much of a problem for the leader to defend, but the final stage at Stillwater was nothing short of normal! 20 laps of a 2 mile circuit featuring a nasty 18% gradient climb each lap was sure to shake things up a bit. Sure enough it did, with Chris having a fantastic ride, finishing 4th on the stage but also making up enough time to win that Best Amateur jersey and putting the Rio Grande on the final podium! Cycling is no doubt a team sport, and each member of the Rio squad played a huge roll in keeping Chris safe and protected over the week before unleashing an assault on the final day. Next stop for the Rio lads in off to Bend for the Cascade Classic and then the Tour of Utah in August!"
