Six of cycling’s top teams have been confirmed as taking part in this August’s Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, thus continuing its status as one of the USA’s biggest stage races. UCI ProTeams Garmin-Cervélo and Liquigas-Cannondale plus top Pro Continental team Geox TMC will join previously-confirmed ProTeam squads HTC Highroad, currently the world number one team, plus RadioShack and BMC Racing Team in the six day contest.
Utah Cycling Partnership president Steve Miller explained that an improved status for the race has brought with it a jump up in level of the teams. “The elevation of the Tour of Utah to a 2.1-rated UCI stage race this year makes it possible to include the best teams in the world, and across North America, to compete on the challenging terrain of the Wasatch Front,” he said. “All of our spectators, corporate partners and volunteers will be rewarded this year with the best field yet, a showcase for international cycling here in Utah.
Three other Pro Continental teams were previously confirmed, namely Team Type 1 - sanofi-aventis and United Healthcare, both from the USA, as well as the Canadian outfit Team SpiderTech powered by C10.
The organisers have also confirmed seven UCI Continental teams: American squads Bissell Pro Cycling, Jamis/Sutter Home, RealCyclist.com and Trek-Livestrong U23, plus Endura Racing (Great Britain) and PureBlack Racing (New Zealand).
These will each feature eight riders and scrap it out over varied terrain for UCI points plus a share of the $116,000 prizefund.
The 2011 event will begin with a prologue and the battle will then continue over five road stages. It will be one of the most keenly-disputed events in the USA and will draw large crowds thanks to the strong lineup.
The final selection for each team will be confirmed closer to the race start on August 9th.