Welcome to the Nature Valley Pro Chase
March 5, 2012We’ve all daydreamed about it.
Whether its bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, the last second jump shot as time expires, or leaving everyone behind as you float up that mountain to win the Tour de France; the chance to be the star is a dream for many of us.
Some realize that dream in high school or college. Some of us keep competing as long as we can, whether in the local softball league or the local office park world championships. But even if you have the talent to succeed, how do you find the time to train or the money for the best gear as your responsibilities to work and family increase?
It leaves you wondering what if…
What if someone gave me the same support the pros get? Could I show them I have what it takes? Could I be the star?
This is what the Nature Valley Pro Chase is all about—regular people with regular lives getting the chance to chase their dreams.
Riders skilled and lucky enough to qualify at one of the six events get free entry into the Nature Valley Grand Prix, along with access to world class coaches, mechanics, and support staff. All they have to worry about is racing, oh and the pros too.
Follow us over the spring and summer to hear the stories of 12 regular people chasing their dream.
2011 Nature Valley Pro Ride qualifier Jade Wilcoxson wins the overall top amateur jersey at the Nature Valley Grand Prix
Nature Valley Pro Ride Teams Finalized
June 12, 2010Minneapolis – The Nature Valley Pro Ride men’s and women’s teams have been selected for the Nature Valley Grand Prix, June 16-20 in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
Mary Maroon of Sacramento, Calif., and Lucas Binder of San Diego qualified at the Mt. Hamilton Classic Road Race and Memorial Day Criterium to become the 11th and 12th racers to round out the special squads.
Maroon is a former bike messenger who won gold medals at the Cycle Messenger World Championships in 2007. A member of the Touchstone Climbing team, she has also been successful on the track, having captured the California state keirin championship in 2007.
Maroon will be joined on the Nature Valley Pro Ride women’s team by Anna Barensfeld (Brookline, Mass.), Sue Butler (Portland, Ore.), Nancy Jones (Monroe, Ga.), Emily Kachorek (Sacramento, Calif.), and Kristen Meshberg (Lyons, Ill.).
Binder finished sixth in the road race and 10th in the criterium to earn his spot. He recently won the Southern California Nevada Cycling Association (SCNCA) State Championship road race, riding for the Echelon Gran Fondo/Zteam.
Joining Binder on the Nature Valley Pro Ride men’s team is Zach Garrett (Sumter, S.C.), Brandon Gritters (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Jacob Mueller (Skippack, Penn.) Joseph Schmalz (Lawrence, Kan.), and Gabe Varaela (Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho).
Michael Engleman, who will direct the women’s Nature Valley Pro Ride team, said the unique program is something that the sport of cycling needs.
“It’s a great opportunity for amateur athletes to have the full pro experience, but it’s also a talent identification program,” he said. “Riders who do well will be performing in front of all of the top pro team managers and can end up with pro contracts. Alison Starnes (Team TIBCO) and Olivia Dillon (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) are alumni of this program.”
Nature Valley Pro Riders earn free entry to the race, generous travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite teams. They also receive pro-level recognition before, during and after the events, including pre-race call-ups and participation in promotional and media appearances.
Rider invitations were issued at six stops on the national tour: Hillsboro-Roubaix Road Race (April 10) in Illinois, Rock Hill Spring Bicycle Classic (April 10-11) in South Carolina, Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic (April 23-25) in Oregon, Barrio Logan Grand Prix/Mark Reynolds San Luis Rey Road Cycling Classic (May 1-2) in California, Bear Mountain Spring Classic (May 15) in New York and Mt. Hamilton Road Race/Criterium (May 30-31) in California.
For more information, visit www.NatureValleyProRide.com.
About the Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix, which takes place in Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, is the premier stage race on the 2010 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The 2010 race will include stops in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Menomonie, and Stillwater. The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a volunteer-run event, with all proceeds donated to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the festival’s benefiting charity. More information can be found at: www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com.
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.
Final Nature Valley Pro Ride Qualifier This Weekend
May 28, 2010Minneapolis (May 27, 2010) —This weekend’s Mt. Hamilton Classic Road Race/Memorial Day Criterium in California marks the end of the 2010 Nature Valley Pro Ride qualifiers. The final two riders selected will join the five men and five women who have already qualified.
Sunday’s 63.5-mile point-to-point road race begins in San Jose and climbs 4,500 feet to the top of Mt. Hamilton before finishing in Livermore, Calif. The Memorial Day Criterium is a flat and fast, four-corner affair in the Morgan Hill Business Park.
“It’s been exciting to watch the unfolding of this year’s Nature Valley Pro Ride”, said Nature Valley Grand Prix Director David LaPorte. “From the start – at Hillsboro Roubaix – to the finish in the Bay Area, the Nature Valley Pro Ride has highlighted the best in grassroots racing. The message is clear: bicycle racing is thriving in this country.”
The previous stop of the Nature Valley Pro Ride was the Bear Mountain Spring Classic in Harriman State Park in New York on May 16. Anna Barensfeld of Brookline, Mass. (riding for LadiesFirst Racing), was the female qualifier. The men’s qualifier was Jacob Mueller, who lives in Skippack, Penn., but whose hometown is Fond du Lac, Wis., which is close to the cities where the Nature Valley Grand Prix takes place. Mueller rides for the amateur Kelly Benefit Strategies/Lateral Stress Velo club.
Other women’s qualifiers for the Nature Valley Pro Ride are Sue Butler of Portland, Ore., Nancy Jones of Monroe, Ga., Emily Kachorek of Sacramento, Calif., and Kristen Meshberg of Lyons, Ill.
Previous men’s qualifiers are Zach Garrett of Sumter, S.C., Grandon Gritters of Mission Viejo, Calif., Joseph Schmalz of Lawrence, Kan., and Gabe Varaela of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.
The 12th annual edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix will be held in East Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, June 16-20. Nature Valley Pro Riders who are invited to compete in the Nature Valley Grand Prix earn free entry to the race, generous travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite teams. They also receive pro-level recognition before, during and after the events, including pre-race call-ups and participation in promotional and media appearances.
For more information, visit www.NatureValleyProRide.com.
About the Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix, which takes place in Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, is the premier stage race on the 2010 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The 2010 race will include stops in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Menomonie, and Stillwater. The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a volunteer-run event, with all proceeds donated to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the festival’s benefiting charity. More information can be found at: www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com.
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.
