Nature Valley Grand Prix Final

Photo by: Carmen D'Aluisio

The final day of the Nature Valley Grand Prix had it's ups and downs for the Aaron's Team. The team reached it's goal of keeping Rebecca Larson in the "Wheaties Sprint Leaders Jersey" which was a fantastic accomplishment. She was also awarded a $500 bonus for being the "Wheaties Cybersprint Champion".. Rebecca would finally be awarded the Red Sprint Leaders Jersey for the Women's Prestige Series that she will carry into the International Tour de Toona, the next stop in that series.

Photo by: Carmen D'Aluisio

Felicia Gomez would be the team's top finisher in 5th place in the overall standings which should give her a lot of confidence going into her National Championships in St. George, Canada early in July.

Photo by: Paul Forsythe

On the flip side, Carmen McNellis would find herself off her bike on the second lap of the race after having dropped her chain mid-way up the steep 14% grade on the Stillwater circuit. Maybe a miss-shift, maybe a mechanical, either way it was a tough way to lose time after having fought so hard all week.

Photo by: Paul Forsythe

Kristin Sanders would also fall into difficulty when two of her chain ring bolts went flying off her bike. Stuck in her big chain ring for the final two laps of the race she would also come off her bike on the steep 14% losing precious time that would have placed her well into the top 10 in the overall GC standings. Instead, I'm sure it left people wondering what had happened to her in the final results. Kristin is well prepared for the US Nationals coming up in July and we should see good results from her there in both the individual time trial and the road race.

Photo by: Paul Forsythe

Sarah Caravella, Catherine Powers and Michelle Kiesanowski played a major role this week riding in strong support of our team's leaders.

Photo by: Paul Forsythe

This was Michelle's last race with the Aaron's Team before leaving for France with the New Zealand National Team where she will complete her season. It was a pleasure to have Michelle as part of the team and we wish her well and much success for the remainder of her season!