St. Paul Time Trial Women
Starnes Wins Opening Time Trial of the Nature Valley Grand Prix; Armstrong Returns as Director
Alison Starnes of Team TIBCO won the St. Paul Riverfront Time Trial, exemplifying what the Nature Valley Grand Prix is all about – growing young talent from their first professional race experience to winning this year’s opening stage in her first NRC win. The podium was rounded out by two HTC Columbia riders, Linda Villumsen and Evelyn Stevens in second and third place respectively.
Just two years ago Starnes had her first taste of professional cycling as part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride team.
“This was my first pro race,” shared Starnes. “I’d just upgraded from a Cat-4 earlier that year, and the experience was a little traumatic – I just remember it was hard!”
One notable difference of this year on the technical side was the ban of aero equipment. Though most riders wishes they could race in full time trial gear, Starnes noted, “It’s the same race, it’s you against the clock.”
Previous years’ champion Kristin Armstrong, who announced her retirement from the sport at this stage last year, returns as the director of Peanut Butter & Co Twenty Twelve.
“I still can’t sleep before a time trial, I get nervous for my girls!” said a radiantly pregnant Armstrong. “I’ve won this race the last four years and I’m back with my team to with for a fifth straight year.”
When asked which is harder, being a cyclist or being director, Armstrong laughs, “I think it’s easier to hop on your bike and ride! It’s been a lot of work, a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to this week. I want the girls to be able to have great races and have the kinds of experiences that I’ve had here at Nature Valley.”
Armstrong coaches many of the girls in the peloton, including winner Starnes.
“Time trialing is all in the head. It takes time to become mentally strong. Once you do that, you’ve done your homework, your fitness is there, you just have to go as hard as you can on a bike. It’s just 15 minute time trial. There’s no pacing, there’s no holding back. When you cross that line, I always tell people, no regrets because you were in control those 15 minutes.”
“We are here support women’s cycling”, says HTC Columbia team director René Wenzel, who brought a mixed squad of experienced and younger riders.
Last year’s champion Alison Powers (Team Vera Bradley Foundation) came in just shy of the podium in 4th place at 14’ 45“.