Nature Valley Pro Ride Rolls Out This Weekend

Jefferson Cup Road Race in Charlottesville, Virginia, is first event of 2009 Series

Minneapolis, MN – The enormously popular Jefferson Cup Road Race will be the first race of the 2009 Nature Valley Pro Ride, a six-race program that offers elite amateur men and women the chance to win a trip to the Nature Valley Grand Prix in June. Held on Sunday, March 29, the Jefferson Cup will select one man and one woman for the trip to Minnesota, where they will race on the Nature Valley Cycling Team against the country’s top professionals and amateurs.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this year’s Nature Valley Pro Ride”, said Jefferson Cup race director Ruth Stornetta, whose race was one of six chosen from 28 nominated by USA Cycling Local Associations across the country. “Our elite men’s field filled only 12 hours after we opened on-line registration and we’re expecting a strong turnout for the elite women’s field as well. The Nature Valley Pro Ride has created an added buzz around our event and we expect that it will make the racing more dynamic.”

The Nature Valley Grand Prix, which begins June 10 in St. Paul, Minn., is the top ranked race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar and is the only race among the USA Grand Tours to admit amateurs. It serves as an amateur’s chance to have a full professional racing experience. It also provides amateur riders with a unique chance to be “discovered” by the pro team managers who use the Nature Valley Grand Prix to scout for new talent.

Riders selected in each of the six Nature Valley Pro Ride qualifiers, held across the country, will receive a travel stipend, free entry, housing accommodations, and full team support. They will make public appearances, get pre-race introductions, participate in autograph sessions, and race in front of crowds in excess of 50,000 during this five-day stage race. This program provides riders with a full professional experience and is only available to the Nature Valley Pro Ride winners.

At the Nature Valley Grand Prix, Category 1 men and Category 2 women will be pursuing the coveted Nature Valley Top Amateur jersey. This special competition recognizes the accomplishments of “everyday athletes” as they compete against many of the best cyclists in the country, including international riders, and Olympic and World Champions. Since the program was started in 2004, every Top Amateur winner at the Nature Valley Grand Prix has received a pro team contract the following season.

The next race in the Nature Valley Pro Ride will be the Hillsboro Roubaix, held on April 4 near St. Louis, MO. For the full calendar and rules, visit the Nature Valley Pro Ride web site.