Tour of Utah seeking a few good teams

Tour of Utah Race Director Terry McGinnis called for applications for men's professional and category one teams to compete in the 2008 edition of the race from August 13 to17. The five-day, 342-mile (550 km) stage race will feature 30,000 feet of climbing and competition for a US$75,000 purse, including a new car. Seventeen seven-man teams will be chosen to compete in the invitation-only event by the Tour of Utah review committee.

The Tour of Utah falls one week after USA Cycling Road Nationals and two weeks after the Cascade Classic in Oregon. Five tough days of racing at altitude could make for perfect training for professionals preparing for the USA Cycling Professional Road Championships in Greenville later in August.

"We're expecting more than 120 cyclists from the best teams in North America," said McGinnis.

Race promoters postponed last year's Tour of Utah due to financial constraints. This year, however, the promoters have restructured financial operations, downsized the race to five stages from a proposed seven, and focused on attracting domestic teams by virtue of the NRC status.

Tour of Utah for 2008
August 13: Stage One, Sanpete Road Race
August 14: Stage Two, Ogden to Salt Lake
August 15: Stage Three, Downtown SLC Criterium
August 16: Stage Four, Park City to Snowbird
August 17: Stage Five, Miller MotorSports Park Individual TT

For more information or to register, visit www.tourofutah.com/register.