Tour of Utah


The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, is an annual multiday road cycling race; traversing the states of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Since the 2011 edition, the tour holds UCI classification. Between five and six UCI WorldTeams compete annually. Due to its altitude, distance, and weather conditions, the tour is nicknamed: "America's Toughest Stage Race". In 2010, only 71 of the initial 140 riders finished. After receiving 2.1 status in 2011, a stronger field participated; 88 of the initial 120 competitors finished. In September 2014, it was announced that the race was promoted to 2.HC status, from 2015 and onwards. The race will become part of the new UCI ProSeries in 2020.
With the Tour of California going on hiatus in 2020, the United States has no event that is part of the UCI World Tour. This makes the Tour of Utah the highest level multi-day road cycling race in the United States. Additionally, it is tied with the one-day Maryland Cycling Classic as the highest overall road cycling race in the United States.

History

It began, in 2000, as an amateur race, the Thanksgiving Point Stage Race, and received its present name in 2004. Originally organized by cycling enthusiasts, the race was purchased by the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies — Larry H. Miller's investment firm — in 2007. The tour received UCI classification in 2006, however, the 2007 edition was postponed due to lack of sponsorship.
The 2008 and 2009 editions subsequently returned to United States National Racing Calendar. After the 2010 edition, the Tour of Utah was placed in the UCI America Tour, and regained UCI classification. Five UCI ProTeams were among the sixteen-teams competing in the 2011 and 2013 editions, and six were among the seventeen-teams competing in the 2012 edition. In the 2014 edition, six of the sixteen-teams were UCI ProTeams. In 2015 the Tour rating was elevated to 2.HC, one of the few UCI-sanctioned, multi-stage, pro cycling events in North American.

Classifications

Similar to the Tour de France, the race has six individual classifications:

General classification

Sprints classification

Youth classification

Mountains classification

Teams classification