October 4/06 10:20 am - Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Awarded UCI Status

Posted by Editor on 10/4/06
 

Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Awarded UCI Status

Known as "America's Toughest Tour," the Tour of Utah, presented by Three Peaks Promotions, has been awarded International Cycling Union (UCI) status. Receiving this prestigious honor recognizes the Tour of Utah as a highly regarded, world-renowned cycling event; consequently, the Tour will be given a date on the 2007 UCI calendar.

The decision to make the Tour of Utah an official UCI event comes from recommendations by UCI commissaires who participated behind the scenes at the 2006 inaugural Tour, as well as from positive feedback from race teams. UCI commissaire Marilyn Allen was the team liaison for the August 2006 Tour. "The teams were happy with the event and look forward to returning next year," she said. "I would like to congratulate Three Peaks for putting on a very successful 2006 Tour."

The Tour of Utah is a "Tour de France-style" six- day, six-stage, 500-mile bike race across some of Northern Utah's most beautiful and challenging landscapes. Planning for 2007 is already underway with the Tour dates to be set for late July or early August.

Jason Preston, president of Three Peaks Promotions and race director for the Tour of Utah said he has been overwhelmed by the amount of positive press and personal feedback the Tour has received from cycling enthusiasts and Utah community leaders.

"Hosting the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah was like revisiting our Olympic experience," said Lewis K. Billings, mayor of Provo. "Once again the excitement and energy of a first-class international sports competition was alive in the streets of Provo and was reflected in the faces and hearts of the people who came to watch."

Preston said he has already been looking at several routes for 2007 and is confident that the race will live up to its reputation as "America's Toughest Tour." "We look forward to getting our team around us right away in order to raise the bar for next year," said Preston. "It was the volunteers, sponsors and employees that stepped up to the plate this year and pulled off such a fantastic event. Next year after the Tour de France, American cycling fans can see European style racing with epic climbs and scenery without having to learn French or cross the Atlantic."

More information about the 2006 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah can be found on the official race Web site at www.tourofutah.com.