Winning Spirit Magazine September-October 2019 | Page 11

ta h U f o r Tou e n i l e m i T 2000 Originally organized by local cycling enthusiasts, the Tour of Utah got its start as an amateur race, the Thanksgiving Point Stage Race. The multi-day event featured amateur and elite cyclists who competed during Memorial Day weekend. Even in its infancy, the race pitted riders against some of Utah’s most challenging climbs and race routes. Among the early fans of the cycling event in Utah were Greg and Steve Miller. 2004–2007 The race was renamed the Tour of Utah in 2004. As the event was trying to expand its exposure and prominence in the cycling community, lack of sponsorship resulted in the cancellation of the 2007 edition. 2007 The Tour of Utah was purchased by the Larry H. Miller Group and officially became the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. The purchase was motivated in part by Steve Miller, who recognized the need for a major cycling event in Utah. With a passion for the sport and a commitment to making the Tour fiscally responsible, Steve served as president of the Tour of Utah and continues to provide his leadership and enthusiasm for the event today. 2008–2009 Both editions of the race returned to United States National Racing Calendar (USNRA). It was during this time that the event began carrying the label of “America’s Toughest Stage Race.” 2010 After the 2010 edition, the UCI, the world’s governing body for pro cycling, placed the Tour of Utah in the UCI America Tour and returned its UCI classification (2.1). 2011–2014 Professional cycling teams from around the world come to Utah to compete for the Tour’s yellow jersey. By 2014, six of the 16 teams on the Tour of Utah roster were UCI Pro Teams (now called UCI World Tour Teams). The event also expanded from six days to seven with a record 753 miles of racing and 53,863 feet of climbing in 2014. 2015–Present The UCI promoted the 2015 edition of the Tour of Utah to 2.HC status, making it one of only two multi- stage pro cycling events in North America with that designation. Fifteen years since its opening circuit, the Tour of Utah stands shoulder to shoulder with the most prestigious professional cycling events in the world. LHMWSM.com 9