Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, first 8 teams announced
Organisers have announced the name of the first eight teams to ride the 2012 version of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.
President of the Tour of Utah, Steve Miller noted, "We now have international teams requesting invitations to compete in Utah, and this is great for our fans and our sponsors”.
“The level of competition improves each year, making the Tour of Utah a true showcase for international cycling here in the United States".
The six-day stage race will start on Tuesday, August 7th 2012 and cyclists from all over the world will try their luck at the event.
A total number of 16 teams will participate at the race and five World Tour and three Professional Continental teams have been finalised by the selectors.
Team RadioShack-Nissan, Team BMC, Team Liquigas-Cannondale, Team Rabobank and Team Garmin-Barracuda have confirmed their attendance for the race.
The confirmed UCI Professional Continental sides for the race are, the Columbian squad Team EPM-UNE, Team Competitive Cyclist and Team Argos-Shimano.
Tour of Utah is a U.S professional bicycle road race held across Utah.
It is classified as a UCI 2.1 event which allows the professional teams to confirm their participations at the event.
The race started back in 2004 and it has been dominated by the American natives since its past seven editions.
John Osgurthorp claimed the first position during inaugural version of the race while Levi Leipheimer succeeded at the most recent edition.
Levi also holds the honour of securing the most number of victories at the race.
He grabbed the top podium spot during the 2010 and 2011 versions of the race and is targeting to make it his third consecutive victory at the season.
Huge prize money of US$75,000 attracts the cyclists from all across the world to participate at the five-day race.
Tour of Utah is considered as “The Toughest Stage Race in America” because of its gruelling heat and altitude.
A total number of 140 riders started the Tour of Utah 2010 but only 71 succeeded to finish the race which was increased to 88 out 120 in the most recent version of the Tour of Utah.
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