Instead of watching the umpteenth reply of yesterday's Tour de France stage, why not tune in tonight to watch one of the best U.S. stage races? Universal Sports is televising an hour-long recap of last month's Nature Valley Grand Prix two times – 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT and 11 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. PDT.

Without giving it away for those of you who don't recall who won, the men's race came down to the last few laps of the final day's Stillwater Criterium, while the lead in the women's race changed hands four times over the course of five days.

via www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com

(Official news release)

Universal Sports Televising Nature Valley Grand Prix

Minneapolis – One of the most exciting editions in the history of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, the top-ranked race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, will be broadcast on Universal Sports, sharing nationally what fans in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin enjoyed in person last month.

The hour-long program will air on Universal Sports at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. and 8 p.m. PDT) on Monday, July 12 – a rest day for the Tour de France. The program will feature highlights of all five days of the men's and women's Nature Valley Grand Prix that took place June 16-20.

With the retirement of four-time Nature Valley Grand Prix champion Kristin Armstrong, the women's race was a see-saw affair, with the yellow leader's jersey changing hands four times. The primary battle was between Armstrong's new team, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, Team TIBCO/To the Top and HTC-Columbia.

The men's race was a classic duel between two-time defending champion Rory Sutherland (UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis) and Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies). The contest was decided in the last two laps of the last stage in Stillwater.

"It was one of the most exciting races that we've held," Nature Valley Grand Prix Director David LaPorte said. "The women's race was aggressive and dynamic while the men's race was a real cliffhanger. Those are the two classic racing scenarios, and we were lucky enough to have had both of them."