Strong list of teams confirmed for Tour of Utah

When the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah took the gradual step onto the UCI calendar this year, organizers hoped to land a big-time field for the race’s seventh edition. They did just that and announced Wednesday that among the squads lining up August 9 would be the six of the world’s top-15 teams.

“The elevation of the Tour of Utah to a 2.1-rated UCI stage race this year makes it possible to include the best teams in the world, and across North America, to compete on the challenging terrain of the Wasatch Front,” said race president Steve Miller. “All of our spectators, corporate partners and volunteers will be rewarded this year with the best field yet, a showcase for international cycling here in Utah.”

Organizers announced today that Garmin-Cervélo, Liquigas-Cannondale and Geox-TMC would be among the squads joining previously announced teams that include HTC-Highroad, RadioShack, BMC Racing, Team Type 1-Sanofi Aventis and UnitedHealthcare.

With 2.1 registration, the race can invite a collection of teams from the professional divisions. Among the Continental squads lining up will be the nation’s top-ranked domestic squad, Bissell, former stage winner Tom Zirbel’s Jamis-Sutter Home team and 2009 overall champion Francisco Mancebo’s Realcyclist.com squad. Domestic squads competing in previous editions of the race, but not listed in the 2011 roster include Jelly Belly-Kenda, Kenda-5-hour Energy and V Australia.

Team for the 2011 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah

August 9-14

UCI ProTeams

HTC-Highroad (USA), No. 1 on World Tour
Team RadioShack (USA), No. 4 on World Tour
BMC Racing Team (USA), No. 7 on World Tour
Team Garmin-Cervélo (USA), No. 9 on World Tour
Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA), No. 13 on World Tour

UCI Professional Continental Teams

Geox-TMC (ESP), No. 11 on UCI Europe Tour
Team Type 1-sanofi-aventis (USA), No. 16 on UCI Europe Tour
Team SpiderTech-C10 (CAN), No. 15 on UCI America Tour
UnitedHealthcare (USA), No. 3 NRC and 13 on UCI America Tour

UCI Continental Teams

Bissell (USA), No. 1 NRC team
Endura Racing (GBR), No. 22 on UCI America Tour
Jamis-Sutter Home Pro Cycling (USA), No. 9 NRC team
Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth (USA), No. 14 NRC team
PureBlack Racing (NZL), No. 5 NRC team and No. 4 on UCI Oceania tour
RealCyclist.com (USA), No. 2 NRC team
Trek LIVESTRONG U23 (USA), No. 7 NRC team

FILED UNDER: News / Road TAGS: Tour of Utah

Brian Holcombe

Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. His graduate work in communications at the University of Denver focuses on innovation and digital media management. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.

• All articles by Brian