This punishing circuit sends pro male cyclists pedaling up the steepest hill in Stillwater some 20 times (13 times for pro women). The Stillwater Criterium is the culmination of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, a five-day stage race, like a mini Tour de France set to Minnesota's flatlands. Yet this circuit manages to feel somewhat like the Tour's grueling alpine stages, with rowdy spectators sidestepping their way up the sharp hillside to cheer those crazy riders as their thighs burn. July 16. naturevalleybicyclefestival.com
Best Sports Event for Spectators - Stillwater Criterium - 2013 Best of MN
May 22, 2013 at 6:23PM
![Christian Helmig of the Elbowz team crossed the finish line first of the Nature Valley men's pro-elite race Sunday June 14, 2012 in Stillwater MN. ] Jerry Holt/ STAR TRIBUNE.COM)](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3BSDTSAEJ3GV63RLRWOPTT3UM4.jpg?&w=1080)
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Family members and a lawyer say they have been blocked from access to the bedside of Bonfilia Sanchez Dominguez, while her husband was detained and shipped to Texas within 24 hours.
