Day: May 15, 2018

The Collegiate All Stars will be on hiatus for 2015 Look for them to return in 2016

Selected riders wear their school jerseys, but compete together as the “Kakookie Collegiate All-Stars.”

This special squad has been selected based on the final individual omnium standings at collegiate nationals of riders who are not members of a professional or elite amateur teams already registered to compete in the North Star Grand Prix.

Each team member receives complimentary entry into the North Star Grand Prix, free host housing, a support staff comprised of a team manager, mechanic, soigneur and massage therapist, team clothing and a travel stipend. All they have to do is race their bike and have the experience of a lifetime.

This is a unique opportunity for these racers because they will not only be able to test themselves against the top women racers in the country, but they will also be competing in front of the team managers of the top women’s teams in the nation. In fact, ten of the women who competed on the 2007-2013 teams landed professional contracts after their efforts on this squad!

2014 Collegiate All-Star Team:

  • Ariane Horbach    Colorado Mesa University
  • Cinthia Lehner    Appalachian State University
  • Sara Bird    Stanford University
  • Allison Arensman    Brevard College
  • Michelle Khare    Dartmouth College
  • Cecelia Davishayes    Columbia University
  • Adelaide Tillinghast    American University
  • Kelly Catlin    University of Minnesota
Team Personnel:
  • Mechanic – Gabe Masiulis
  • Soigneur – Stu Barron
  • Massage Therapist – Tom Hagerty
  • Physical Therapist – Alynn Kakuk
  • Manager – John Barron
  • Director Sportif – Jenn Reither

St. Paul Downtown Criterium Wednesday Evening, June 17

The action continues with the second stage of the day in the North Star Grand Prix. This time racers will battle each other in a fast criterium through the trendy Lowertown District of downtown St. Paul.

Full of twists, turns, and even some brick roads, this is sure to be a fast, action-packed evening of racing.

Learn more about our host city.

Fan Zone Sports Tip: The Wednesday morning time trial will determine which man starts the St. Paul Downtown Criterium in the yellow leader’s jersey, but the jerseys can change hands in downtown St. Paul, most often because of time bonuses offered during the races and at the finishes.

Event Schedule:
4:30 PM – Expo opens
6:15 PM –  Elite Amateur Race: 30 laps
7:15 PM – Park Dental/Shimano Kids Fun Race
7:45 PM – Men’s Pro/Elite Race: 40 laps
9:00 PM – Expo closes

Fixed Gear Classic

Three days of speed and excitement!  June 6-8, 2013
Kicking off the 2013 Nature Valley Bicycle Festival will be the MN Fixed Gear Classic. This thrilling event brings world class track cycling to the NSC Velodrome for three days in June.
The MN Fixed Gear Classic pits professional and elite amateur track cyclists in fast-paced sprint and grueling endurance events. The 2013 MN Fixed Gear Classic will again feature a unique dual omnium program that showcases separate competitions for sprinters and endurance specialists. Cross-over races will bring sprinters and distance racers together in search of omnium points.
The opening night of racing will take place on Thursday June 6th to coincide with the NSC Velodrome’s popular Thursday Night Lights racing series.
Events schedule:
  • Thursday June 6th – 6:30 PM
  • Friday June 7th – 6:30 PM
  • Saturday June 8th – Noon

Stillwater Criterium Sunday, June 16

Once again the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival returns to historic downtown Stillwater for our grand finale and signature event.

The Stillwater course features a trek up Chilkoot Hill every lap. This lung-busting hill climb along with the heart stopping downhill turns that will stretch the riders’ bike handling skills to their limits combine to give this criterium an international reputation as the hardest in North America.
Learn more about our host city.
Fan Zone Sports Tip: The pack will shatter on the climbs in Stillwater, with the lead pack shrinking on every lap. The yellow jersey will be under serious pressure, with challengers pushing the pace to try to make the leader crack. The jersey often changes hands on this final day of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
Event schedule:
10:30 AM – Expo opens & Stunt Rider Shows
10:45 AM – CycleOps amateur race
11:45 AM – Women’s Pro/Elite Race: 13 Laps
12:45 PM – Kids fun race
1:30 PM – Men’s Pro/Elite Race: 20 Laps
4:00 PM – Expo closes

 

Uptown Minneapolis Criterium Friday, June 19

The North Star Grand Prix returns to the uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis for the the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium for the Friday evening event. With huge crowds that have lined the entire course every year, the riders have been energized and there has been some incredible racing.

The course has teams race past Calhoun Square on a .88 Kilometer course that comprises six tight corners and a furious race to the finish line.

With a long straightaway across the finish line into a very short run between turns one and two, speeds will descend from a brisk 35-plus mph into the low digits before ramping up again out of turn five on Lake Street. Strong racers and teams will stay up front to control the tempo and avoid accidents.

The Greg LeMond CEO’s Ride for Kids will be held at the Festival’s most popular event Friday evening in Uptown. The announcers will call three-time Tour de France Champion Greg LeMond and the CEOs to the line individually, then they’ll will ride one lap of the course, along with members of the Sanford Hype Special Olympics team,  Click HERE for more information.

Learn more about our host city

Fan Zone Sport Tip: The real spectacle comes near the end of the course as riders make turn six onto Hennepin Avenue and into a long, wide one-block straightaway to the finish line.

Event Schedule

4:30 PM    Expo opens & RBC Kids’ Zone opens
6:15 PM    Elite Amateur Race: 20 Laps
7:10 PM    Greg LeMond CEO Ride for Kids
7:25 PM    Park Dental/Shimano Kids Fun Race
7:50 PM    Men Pro/Elite Race: 40 Laps
8:45 PM    Racing ends
9:00 PM    Expo closes

Bus routes to the Uptown Festival.