Nature Valley Signs Multi-Year Contract with Pro Cycling Race
Representatives from Nature Valley and the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival announced today they have reached agreement on a contract extending Nature ValleyÂ’s brand sponsorship of the professional cycling race for three more years. Nature Valley has committed to title sponsorship until 2007. The brand has been sponsoring the competitive portion of the event, known as the Nature Valley Grand Prix, since 2001.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) April 22, 2005
Representatives from Nature Valley and the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival announced today they have reached agreement on a contract extending Nature ValleyÂ’s brand sponsorship of the professional cycling race for three more years. Nature Valley has committed to title sponsorship until 2007. The brand has been sponsoring the competitive portion of the event, known as the Nature Valley Grand Prix, since 2001.
“It’s a great fit for our brand,” says Martin Abrams, Brand Manager for Nature Valley, part of General Mills. “The Nature Valley Grand Prix is one of the most important cycling competitions in the United States, it’s anchored in our hometown of Minneapolis, and it represents our brand’s commitment to an active, healthy lifestyle.”
The Nature Valley Grand Prix, part of the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival, is a stage race comprised of an initial time trial, road races and criteriums in five Minnesota locations. The event will be held June 8-12, 2005. The event has added two new locations, for the time trials in state capital city St. Paul on Wednesday, June 8th and a road race venue in the river town of Mankato on Thursday, June 9th. Other stages include the popular criterium in downtown Minneapolis on June 10thand the dramatic final criterium in Stillwater on June 12th. The Stillwater criterium boasts the steepest professional stage race climb in North America. Each day of the event will also include a full expo with booths, food, entertainment and other family oriented activities.
“It’s significant that Nature Valley has agreed to a multi-year contract, and we’re thrilled,” says Race Director Dr. David LaPorte. “In these days when so many major events are struggling for sponsorship, Nature Valley’s support means a great deal for our event, and the sport of cycling.”
About the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival
The Great River Energy Bicycle Festival is a five-day celebration of bicycling and the bicycle culture in Minnesota. The 2005 events will take place on June 8 – 12 in Saint Paul, Mankato, Minneapolis, Red Wing and Stillwater. In addition to the Nature Valley Grand Prix professional stage race, the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival include amateur racing, kids’ fun races, family activities, live music, stunt rider demonstrations, great food and lifestyle expos.
Proceeds from the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival will benefit programs at ChildrenÂ’s Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the largest childrenÂ’s health care organization in the upper Midwest.
About the 2005 Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix is a five day professional bicycle stage race that is part of the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival. In addition to the Saint Paul Riverfront Time Trial, the 2005 Nature Valley Grand Prix will include a road race in and around Mankato, an evening circuit through downtown Minneapolis, a road race in Red Wing and a circuit race in Stillwater.
About Great River Energy
Great River Energy is a non-profit electric cooperative providing wholesale electric energy and related services to 28 distribution cooperatives serving nearly 1.5 million people in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Headquartered in Elk River, MN, Great River Energy is the second largest utility in Minnesota and the fifth largest utility of its type in the country.
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.
About USA Cycling
USA Cycling is the national governing body of the sport of bicycle racing, and lists the Nature Valley Grand Prix among the countryÂ’s top ten stage races on its National Racing Calendar.
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