Tour of Utah to begin with different feel

PARK CITY — Just before sunset Sunday night, cycling fans were introduced to 120 riders who will compete in the 2011 Tour of Utah.

The seven-year-old race bears the same name it always has, but it will be a very different event this year. When the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the worldwide governing body of cycling, elevated the race to a 2.1-rated event for the American Tour, it meant "America's Toughest Stage Race" would now appeal to even more of cycling's international stars as it offers UCI points, jersey awards and $116,000 in prize money.

"We have five teams fresh off the Tour de France," said Steve Miller, president of the Tour of Utah.

The 16 teams are made up of 120 riders who will cover 409 miles in six days. The course has changed, said Miller, in part, to give spectators a better view of the action, but also to give riders some variety.

"We wanted to spread the tour around," he said. Instead of the Stage I starting in Ogden and finishing at Research Park near the University of Utah, riders will do three loops in the Ogden area that will include Ogden Canyon, Eden Valley and Pineview Reservoir. It's three laps that will total 116 miles.

"That's four hours of action for the residents and spectators to watch," said Miller.

Race officials had to eliminate the Mt. Nebo loop.

"We'll have a sprint stage instead," said Miller. "They'll leave Xango (in Lehi) and race around the west side of Utah Lake finishing in Provo," he said. "The race was really, really hard. And secondarily, Mt. Nebo isn't very spectator friendly. It's tough to drive fans to the top."

The race officially starts Tuesday at Utah Olympic Park with the prologue. It's a 1.3 mile climb that officials say will begin to separate the contenders right away.

The race finishes with a 100-mile ride from Kimball Junction, through Park City, Midway, down Provo Canyon and through the Alpine loop. It ends with an 8-mile climb up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird Ski Resort.

Riders and organizers agree that this race, even with the changes, remains "America's Toughest Stage Race."

Texas-native Pat McCarty, a member of the SpiderTech Team (Canada), said the race should be more competitive than ever.

"I think we're all ready," he said of the team, which just raced in the Tour de France. "With the competition being stepped up, I think it will be a completely different race."

Glen Alan Chadwick, a member of Pure Black Racing (New Zealand), has competed in the Tour of Utah every year.

"This is definitely my favorite race in the states," he said. "It's a cool race with cool stages."

Miller said cycling fans will get a chance to see the sport's best athletes up close and personal. The tour will also be televised for the first time on Fox Sports and KJZZ, as well as streamed live at www.tourofutah.com.

"The cyclists are all really good guys, really approachable," he said. "They every bit the professional athletes that the NBA has, but also very approachable. The venues are open and the fans can mix with the athletes."

Email: adonaldson@desnews.com. Twitter: adonsports