Severe Weather Cancels Nature Valley Grand Prix Stage 3 - More This Evening In Stage 4
- Pat Borzi

For the second time in three years, poor weather conditions forced Nature Valley Grand Prix officials to cancel the Cannon Falls Road Race, the third stage of the six-stage event for men and women.

But unlike 2010, when tornado warnings brought the men’s race to a halt 40 minutes after the start (the women’s race never went off), riders never even made it to the starting line on Thursday.

While torrential rains from a thunderstorm pelted the streets Thursday afternoon, race officials considered altering the format from a 73.4 mile road race to a 15-lap criterium within downtown Cannon Falls. The rain slowed about 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the men’s race.

But with a second strong thunderstorm cell approaching, the changeover to a criterium proved too technically difficult, according to race director David LaPorte. By 5:10 p.m., heavy rain and thunder resumed.

The Grand Prix will continue, weather permitting, on Friday with the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium. The women race 28 laps starting at 6:15 p.m. and the men go for 40 laps beginning at 7:45 p.m. All standings after Stage 2 will carry over to Friday night's event.

About the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival
Now in its 14th year, the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is an 11-day celebration of bicycling that includes amateur and professional racing and community events. The Festival will open on June 7-9 with the Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic at the National Sports Center Velodrome. The marquee event, the Nature Valley Grand Prix, will be held June 13-17. The stage race has become the top event on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, attracting top American and international racing teams and nearly 300 riders from around the world. The Festival is a volunteer-run event with all profits donated to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota. For more information, visit www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com.

About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar
Entering its 16thseason in 2012, the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) is a road cycling series sanctioned by USA Cycling. It is designed to provide a ranking system for all elite-level cyclists, both amateur and professional, through participation in the nation’s premier cycling events.

About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. For more information, visit www.NatureValley.com.

Article Published: 06-14-2012