Active Protein Complex (APC) to sponsor Best Young Rider at 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix

Jersey Competition Highlights Rising Stars in The Sport

Minneapolis (April 2, 2009)—,The Protein People, makers of Active Protein Complex (APC) will join the Nature Valley Grand Prix as the sponsor of the Best Young Rider competition in 2009. This program supports developing talent by putting cyclists in the spotlight at one of the nation’s top professional stage races. Stage one of the 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix begins in St. Paul on Wednesday, June 10 and continues with daily stages in Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato, and Stillwater.

The white APC jersey will be awarded after each stage of the event to the best-placed male rider under age 23 and female rider under age 26. After the final stage, the young riders who win the overall competition will be presented with the same Reinhart’s Studios custom stained glass trophies that are given to the overall male and female winners. The final stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix is the Stillwater Criterium, on Sunday, June 14.

“We think the Nature Valley Grand Prix’s Best Young Rider competition is a perfect match with APC,” said Tim Greene, Director of Sales for APC. “Our mission is to add energy to people with active lifestyles by improving their nutritional health. These young riders embody these principles and we’re happy to play a role in moving them up the ladder in their athletic careers.”

Past winners of the Best Young Rider competition at the Nature Valley Grand Prix frequently go on to make great strides in the sport of professional cycling. The 2005 men’s winner, Tyler Farrar, won the USPro Criterium Championship later that same year before moving on to race for the Cofidis team in Europe. Alex Wrubleski won the women’s jersey in June 2006, and went on to win two Canadian National Championships. The 2007 women’s jersey was claimed by Mara Abbott on her way ton wining that year’s Women’s Prestige Cycling Series.