Huff Edges Barrajo For Stage 4 Win At Nature Valley Grand Prix
Minneapolis, MN, June 15 - After a four-man break that threatened to take away the general classification lead of John Murphy (Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder), Brad Huff (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda Cycling Team) won the chaotic field sprint at the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium. Alejandro Borrajo (Jamis Sutter Home) took second place and Frank Pipp (Bissell Pro Cycling) finished third.
“With one to go Ben Jacques-Mayne (Bissel Pro Cycling) and Freddie Rodriguez (Team Exergy) came around me,” said Huff. “I think we came out (of the final corner) four abreast. I was lucky enough to jump on the other side of the guys and get some momentum.”
“Kenda did a great job on the front. Bissel came up with them. The race wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for those two teams.”
The four-man break consisted of Anthony and teammate Michael Creed (Team Optum), Ricardo Van der Velde (Jelly Belly), and Carlos Alzate (Team Exergy). They gained a 26-second advantage before being reeled back with four laps to go. Kenda/5hr Energy was left to do most of the chasing until eventually some of the teams came up to help.
“We were pretty sure someone would come up to help,” said Murphy. “We’re not the only team who wants to win this race. The boys kept it together well today, and it ended in a bunch sprint like we wanted.”
“We put one of our guys, Andrew Dahlheim, into the rotation for a little bit because we saw they were getting tired,” said Pipp. “We decided at six to go that we were going to take over the front. About two to go it got a little bit crazy, and Eric (Young, current U.S. Pro Crit Champion) and I were able to tuck in. I tried to lead out Eric, but we ended up getting mixed up in the sprint so it was just me out there sprinting for the line.”
“We’re not fighting for GC, we’re fighting for stage wins,” said Danny Van Haute, director of Jelly Belly. “With Ricardo in the break we knew he could be on the podium. Then there was some pussyfooting around with (Carlos) Alzate, so Anthony just went, and the break got reeled in.”
“I had to gamble and I wasn’t giving any free rides today,” said Van der Velde. “We knew we had Brad so we had cards to play.”
Anthony was awarded the day’s Freewheel Bike Most Aggressive Rider jersey. All other jerseys remained the same. Alzate increased his sprint points lead and will wear the Exergy Sprinter jersey into tomorrow’s Stage 5 Menomonie Road Race. Scott Zwizanski (Team Optum) held onto the Sports Beans King of the Hills jersey, and Devon Dunn (CashCall Mortgage) retains the Nature Valley Top Amateur jersey and TRIA Orthopaedic Center Best Young Rider jersey.
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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, visitwww.NatureValley.com.
