"I had teams tell me they'd rather see some of the money from the purse go to other things," McGinnis said. "They'd prefer to see the money go to athlete lodging and travel expenses."

And while there are certainly some tremendous roads to race bicycles on in other areas of the state, the plans do not call for moving the race any farther away from Salt Lake City than it was this year. The cost and time involved with transporting nearly 120 cyclists with their support staff and caravan to places like Moab, Flaming Gorge or Logan Canyon means things will stay close to the Wasatch Front.

Another change might come in the form of road closures for the race. Though a "rolling barricade" of police and race officials accompanied the peloton from start to finish, there were many close calls involved automobiles — either moving or parked on the side of the course — which left cyclists a little scared and in danger as they descended roads such as American Fork and Emigration canyons.

Confusing or obscured signage also had a few cyclists missing turns after they had been left behind by the race leaders. Additional course marshals on key turns and intersections will likely be added in future races.

Overall, however, race organizers were pleased with the way the event played out.

Reporters from the biggest cycling publications in the country came to cover the race. Crowds packed the mountain summits and cheered on the racers. And Utah was showcased as a cycling destination not limited to the slickrock trails of Moab.

"I don't think we could ask for much more," said Swindlehurst, who helped design the course. "This shows off the state I love and continue to live in in a great way. I think the race is perfect."

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com