STILLWATER, Minn. — Brad Huff, a sprinter throughout his cycling career, pulled off an unexpected feat Sunday with the help of his teammates, claiming the King of the Hills jersey at the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
Huff began the final stage with a 10-point cushion over his closest challenger, Bernard Sulzberg of Fly V Australia. Jelly Belly teammates Bernard van Ulden and Kiel Reijnen helped stave off any threats by jumping into early breakaways in the 20-lap criterium.
“We just watched the race tactics and watched how it played out,” said Huff, who won his first climbing prize since he began racing bicycles in 1996. “It’s nice to pull it off.”
Van Ulden ending up finishing fifth overall. Rory Sutherland of United Healthcare p/b Maxxis took the yellow jersey.
Saturday’s stage in Menomonie, Wis., set the stage for Huff’s prize. The team was aiming to put a man in every breakaway, and Huff attacked at the right time.
“All of a sudden Brad was in a break and that stayed away for the King of the Hills points,” said team director Danny Van Haute. “Yes, he’s a sprinter and yes, the hills weren’t that big. But he still had to do the work.”
“Brad did a great job.”
