Several of the riders said their familiarity with the terrain and altitude will help.

"I've done all those climbs several times, but never together," said Hageman, who appreciates a couple more months to train.

He hopes the Tour of Utah will bring athletes to train here, much like the Olympics beckoned winter athletes, and said the race will allow locals to measure themselves against the best in the country.

The event's date, in the heat of August, was chosen to fit into openings on the national racing calendar and eventually into the international schedule, for when it becomes fully sanctioned.

The first five stages will circle Utah Lake; go from Lehi to the Larry H. Miller Motorsports Park near Tooele and take a couple laps there; wind through Midway for time trials; go from Provo to the top of the Nebo Loop; and circle Salt Lake City, whose cyclist-mayor, Rocky Anderson, attended Tuesday's press conference.

Race routes are tentative now, as permits are being secured, but they are pretty well roughed out.

The Miller Group got involved, said Miller's son, Greg Miller, because such a race allows the firm to get in on the beginning of an event that fits the family's desire for family entertainment and competition that showcases their home state's beauties to the world.

Greg Miller and brother Steve do some recreational bike riding, though not racing. Greg's 12-year-old son Josh rides a bit, too.

"I realized his passion for cycling when he called me at the office one day and said, 'Hey, Dad, guess where I am?' " said Greg. Josh was at Snowbird, having ridden his bicycle up the canyon.

Greg, who can name most of the world's top riders, has been to the Tour de France the past three years. He took his wife and four oldest children the second year, and they rented an RV to follow that world-renowned race for 12 days and 3,400 kilometers.

They rode their bikes to the finish line of the Alpe d'Huez stage, won by Armstrong. "When Lance won that time trial, it was a very emotional thing" for Greg Miller.

Interest by Greg and Steve Miller led the LHM Group involvement with the race at a time when Dad is already immersed with the opening of his Tooele Valley motorsports park.

The Miller Group is also starting the Freedom Peloton, a fund-raising amateur event with proceeds going to Larry H. Miller Charities to promote children's health and education.

Hundreds of volunteers will be needed for the race. Organizers have the volunteer list from the 2002 Olympics and hope to use some of those seasoned people. For information on volunteering or on the race itself, go to www.tourofutah.com.

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E-mail: lham@desnews.com