The Tour of Utah, billed as “America’s toughest stage race,” will return in 2008 after a cancellation this year due to financial constraints. The five day long race, running August 13 through August 17, 2008, will feature more climbing than any other bicycle stage race in the United States: 342 horizontal miles and 30,000 feet of climbing.
“The purse is $75,000, which includes a brand new automobile,” said Terry McGinnis, the Tour’s executive director, in a statement. “We’re expecting more than 120 cyclists from the best teams in North America. This tour draws national attention, top-tier athletes and will likely be one of only 25 USA Cycling National Race Calendar events.”
Promoters were able to resurrect the Tour by restructuring financial operations, eliminating two of the seven stages and focusing on attracting domestic teams.
Th five stages break down like this:
August 13, Stage One: Nephi to Nephi
The first day’s event will mean 101 miles through rolling, central Utah. Beginning and ending in Nephi, racers will cut through neighboring towns of Fountain Green, Wales, Spring City, Fairview, Moroni and Mount Pleasant, covering a total of 4,851 ft. of climbing.
August 14, Stage Two: Salt Lake to Ogden
Four climbs and a flat finish – 9,960 ft. of climbing. The road race will run 84 miles from Salt Lake City to Ogden, home of Weber State University.
August 15, Stage Three: Downtown SLC Criterium
In the heart of Salt Lake City, the Downtown SLC Criterium is a 90-minute race around a flat, four-cornered track. Fast and furious, the circuit is one mile in length. After 90 minutes, the winner’s probably done nearly 40 miles.
August 16, Stage Four: Deer Valley to Snowbird
A mountaintop finish following four fierce climbs for a total of 14,778 vertical feet. From Deer Valley Resort in Park City, through the outskirts of Salt Lake to Snowbird Ski Resort: a road race of 99 mountainous miles.
August 17, Stage Five: Miller MotorSports Park Individual TT
An 18-mile time trial starting and finishing at the Miller Motor Sportspark in Tooele, UT. The course begins with a slight uphill, then drops and turns aggressively skyward to the turnaround, where racers will head back toward the finish. Short, with 650 ft. of climbing, for a fast, tough time trial.
