Levi Leipheimer will ride in Tour of Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — On the same day Lance Armstrong helped announce a new professional bike race in Colorado, cycling fans in Utah also got a healthy dose of good news.

Levi Leipheimer, a Rowland Hall graduate who has placed on the podium at the Tour de France and is arguably the best overall cyclist in the country right now, will race in the Tour of Utah.

Leipheimer — the Tour of Utah confirmed Wednesday to the Deseret News — will line up with nearly 200 other cyclists in hopes of taming what has been called America's Toughest Stage Race.

"Racers of Levi's caliber enhance the competition on the course, and his participation speaks volumes about the professionalism and reputation of the Tour of Utah," said Steve Miller, president of the Tour of Utah. "We have captured the attention of the best cyclists in the world, and we plan to make sure their experience here is a good one."

But as word of Leipheimer's participation in the Tour of Utah was heard, there were also questions about the future of the Tour of Utah — especially because the new Quizno's Pro Challenge in Colorado is tentatively scheduled to be held from Aug. 22 to 28 of next year. That could create a possible conflict with the Tour of Utah which, if held at the same week as the past two years, would end just as the Colorado race began, forcing many pro cyclists to choose one race or the other.Miller acknowledged such concerns.

"We are excited to hear that there is a new race joining the professional cycling calendar in the U.S.," Miller said. "The caliber of riders who will participate in the Quizno's Pro Challenge speaks to the professionalism of cycling in the western United States as well as the challenging terrain. We look forward to working with USA Cycling on the August calendar to ensure that both races are a success."

For now, though, the focus is on the Tour of Utah and its star-studded field.

Leipheimer recently completed the Tour de France, riding for Lance Armstrong's Team Radio Shack squad, and finished 13th overall.

A pair of overall podium finishes at the Vuelta a España in 2001 and 2008 as well as three Tour of California victories in a row — not to mention an Olympic bronze medal in the time trial — highlight Leipheimer's career.