Cannon Falls to host Great River Energy Bicycle Festival road race

Elk River, Minn. (February 14, 2006)

Officials with the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival announced today the City of Cannon Falls will be added to the schedule in 2006, hosting a road race on Thursday, June 15. Cannon Falls joins Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Mankato and Stillwater as host cities for the Festival’s Nature Valley Grand Prix professional stage race June 14 – 18 in 2006.

“We’re very excited to add Cannon Falls to the schedule”, said Festival director David LaPorte. “This is one of the premier cycling destinations in the Midwest. They attracted a great crowd in 2005 even though the race just passed through their community. As the host city for our Thursday event, they’ll be at the center of the excitement.”

Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce President Patty Anderson remarked, “Bicycling is not just a very popular activity in Cannon Falls, it’s an essential part of our economy. The Cannon Valley Trail is a wonderful resource, winding along the Cannon River between here and Red Wing.” Anderson added that being part of a prominent cycling event like the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival is expected to provide significant exposure for the area and its bike trails.

Officials from the event noted another significant change in the 2006 schedule is the move of the Mankato Road Race to Saturday. The race had successful debut in Mankato last year, drawing five thousand spectators and positive reactions from the professional cyclists. The move to Saturday allows festivities to be dramatically expanded and to draw a regional audience.

The 2006 Nature Valley Grand Prix is ranked as the #1 stage race for women and one of the top three for men on USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar, attracting top cyclists from all over the world. Riders who attended in 2005 included World Champion Katie Mactier (Australia), Canadian National Champion and Tour de France veteran Gord Frasier, Olympian Ciarin Power (Ireland) and four-time US National Champion Tina Pic.

For more information visit www.MinnBikeFest.com

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 2006 events will take place on June 14 – 18 in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato and Stillwater. In addition to the Nature Valley Grand Prix professional stage race, the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival include amateur racing, Caribou Coffee kids’ fun races, family activities, live music, stunt rider demonstrations, great food and lifestyle expos.

Proceeds from the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival benefit programs at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the largest children’s health care organization in the upper Midwest. These donations increase the quality of life for children and their families by helping to provide services that would not normally be covered by insurance. Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota has been the Festival’s charitable partner since 2003.

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. Races include an individual time trial along he Mississippi River in Saint Paul, a road race in and around Cannon Falls, an evening circuit race through downtown Minneapolis, a road race in and around Mankato and a circuit race in Stillwater. This Stillwater course is widely regarded as the most challenging in North America.