Stage 1: St. Paul Lowertown Criterium

(by Jennifer Reither, aka Jenn X)

Weather played a significant role at the St. Paul criterium tonight for the men and women’s races. Officials decided to shorten the women’s race from 40 laps to 30 laps, given the news that a significant “storm cell” was on its way. As the women lined up for call ups, the clouds open up and rain poured on the women making for a soggy start when the gun fired. Kristen Armstrong (Cervelo-Lifeforce) wasted no time immediately launching an attack and gaining 15 seconds on chase rider, Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco) with a small pack including Brooke Miller (Tibco), Lauren Franges (Tibco) and Racheal Lloyd (Proman) about 45 seconds behind Armstrong. From a spectator's view, the race was complete chaos, as Armstrong lapped fields, riders were pulled and Kiesanowki was in no mans land, between chase groups. It was not until the race was finished when the crowd actually knew who was 2nd through 4th place. But the winner in the women’s race was clearly Kristen Armstrong whose strength and savvy this evening put her in the sprinter’s jersey, climber’s jersey and the leader’s jersey.

The men’s race started off with ominous skies and wet streets. Kirk O’Bee (HealthNet) made a great attack on lap two with Aaron Olsen (Bissell) glued to his wheel. The two riders gained a significant gap until Andrew Bajadali (Kelly Benefits) and Rory Sutherland (HealthNet) made a great bridge to O’Bee and Olsen. Unfortunately 20 laps into the race a significant crash caused the peloton to sit up and reevaluate the safety of the race. Officials called the race and the peloton agreed that tomorrow’s stage in Cannon Falls would be stage 1. Danny Van Haute (Director Sportif of Jelly Belly) suggested giving tonight’s stage money to the Children’s Hospital. The peloton and crowd cheered for the donation as the Children were the real winners tonight.

Final Recap Women St Paul Criterium

1st Kristen Armstrong Cervelo Lifeforce

2nd Joanne Kiesanowski Tibco

3rd Brook Miller Tibco



Final Recap Men’s race

No result, the stage is a wash. Stage 1 will be tomorrow in Cannon Falls.

Keeping up with the competition

Can’t make it out to all the races of the Great River Energy Bike Festival?

Well don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with webcasts and live updates via twitter.

Webcast Schedule:
June 7 6:30 PM CST MN Fixed Gear Classic www.myfox9.com
June 8 1:00 PM CST MN Fixed Gear Classic www.nscsports.org/velo
June 13 6:45 PM CST Nature Valley Grand Prix www.myfox9.com
June 15 12:00 PM CST Nature Valley Grand Prix www.myfox9.com

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/grebikefestival

June Podcast and More

Don't forget to check out the new June Podcast over at our website and while you're there you can also listen to racer interviews from the KDOG Morning Show in Mankato, site of our Queen Stage.

The June podcast takes you inside the Nature Valley Grand Prix peloton with Jeff Corbett, former team director. Find out if there's a connection between the Nature Valley Grand Prix and the Giro d'Italia - in our trivia segment much more from Super Rookie and Company.

MN Fixed Gear Classic - Outdoor Wood Track Insanity

posted by (Jennifer Triplett)

First of all, having an outdoor wooden track is insane. I only say this because I willingly live in a part of the country where it actually rains nine months of the year (the rumors are true!). Take for instance our weather this year. Everyone in Seattle remembers exactly where they were and what they did that one 80 degree day in April. Why? Because it usually doesn't stop raining till late June.  Then last weekend we saw record temps soar into the 90's, creating massive river flooding due to our unusually high snow pack in several counties across Washington. Two days later, it's back to normal with low 60s as a daytime high and a damp chill in the air.  A wooden track just wouldn't last here - it's simply too wet.

As a track racer, I look forward to the summer heat. Your body moves easier, your joints don't protest as much and it just feels good. So far this spring we've been teased by abnormal heat, which just means that I can't wait to visit a part of the country that is actually warm and dry!

My local track, Group Health Velodrome in Marymoor Park, has already hosted three weeks of preseason racing. We have to deem May as "preseason" because far to often we are rained out. But luckily the "dry" weather has held so far - and tomorrow night is the final preseason before regular Friday Night Racing begins. In an attempt to prepare for the upcoming MN Fixed Gear Classic, I've been racing with the Category 3 men. It's a great way to test my fitness and work on out-sprinting the fellas. This is my second season hanging with the guys and they've definitely accepted me, although I still hear some grumbling when I beat them in a sprint. ;)  And although it's still early season for track (Elite Track Nationals aren't until October!) - my legs are getting quickly accustomed to my race gear. Though I could stand it to be a little warmer!

A friend of mine says the NSC Velodrome is her favorite track in the country. I really do think it's cool to have an outdoor wooden track and am jealous of those who get to put in some serious mileage going in circles there. As I test my ability tomorrow night, I'll also be dreaming of warmer temps and wooden planks.