The 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix begins tomorrow morning in Minnesota. As one of the premier events on the NRC calendar, the Jelly Belly Cycling Team will have multiple opportunities to be on the podium because of the wide variety of races included in the Grand Prix.
The first day starts off with the individual time trial in the morning, which Jelly Belly rider Nick Reistad says he’s pleased about.
“I think having the TT on the first day is a really good improvement on the schedule from last year,” he said. “It will help set the tone for a more organized race the rest of the week because everyone will have an idea of where they stand after the TT.”
In the afternoon the riders will race again in the Downtown St. Paul Criterium.
“It’s good to start this race out with a TT because when stage races begin with criteriums, everyone gets a little crazy because it’s just a free-for-all,” van Ulden added. “I agree with Nick that this helps set the tone for the rest of the week.”
The second day is a 60 mile Cannon Falls road race; the third day is another criterium followed by another road race which will cover 80 miles. The weekend culminates at the Stillwater Criterium on Sunday, which includes a steep climb on every lap that is sure to force the riders out of their saddles.
Each year the Nature Valley Grand Prix gains more international recognition as one of the most exciting but difficult races in the NRC.
“I really enjoy this race,” van Ulden said. “And it’s always better when there are crosswinds for the road races because that makes it really hard. And when it’s really hard it turns out to be a really good race.”
As far as personal goals are concerned, each rider has something different in mind.
“I am going to target the opening time trial and get a good result there,” said Bernard van Ulden. “Then based on my results there I’ll try to go for a high placement in the GC.”
For the last two years, Jelly Belly has won the Sport Beans King of the Hills award which is sponsored by the Jelly Belly Candy Co. Reistad claimed it in 2008.
“That is definitely something I am going to look forward to getting again this year,” he said. “Depending on how everything starts out I think that is a completely reasonable goal again in 2009.”

The members racing this year are Jeremy Powers, Jonny Clarke, Wil Routley, Kiel Reijnen, Brad Huff, Nick Reistad, Bernard van Ulden and Bryce Mead.

-Molly Saunders
Jelly Belly Pro Cycling PR