The race is still in its infancy, but it's taking more than just baby steps as it grows.
The Tour of Utah, which last summer sent many of the country's best bicyclists up, down and around some of the biggest climbs on the domestic cycling tour, has undergone a reorganization which has given it a new ownership group, a new date and two additional days of racing.
"We think the Tour of Utah is really good for Utah," said Ted Wilson, the newly named executive director of the race. "We think we can showcase the state with this and make this a destination event."
Last summer, the Tour of Utah was a six-stage race held in August. Next summer, the tour will add two new stages and run from June 30 until July 7. The eight days of racing will make it equal to the longest stage race in the country and, arguably, the most challenging.
The move from August to early July means the race will be the last big race in the Western Hemisphere before the Tour de France begins. The dates will likely change again in future years as the race grows and tries to attract some of the biggest names and biggest teams in the world. For now, though, the Tour of Utah ranks in the top five domestic races and is one of only four U.S. stage races on the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar.
Wilson was asked by Greg Miller, of the Larry H. Miller Group, to lead the effort required to turn the race from a good domestic race into a good international race such as the Tour de Georgia and Tour of California. Miller assumed ownership of the Tour of Utah from Three Peaks Promotions recently and formed Utah Cycling Partnership — a non-profit group which will allow the race to grow in new ways. Former Olympic speedskating gold medalist Eric Heiden, who also raced in the Tour de France after his skating career was over and recently relocated to Utah, is also on the board of directors.
Burke Swindelhurst, who finished fourth overall in the 2006 Tour of Utah, is also on the board of directors as is Ken Louder, a long-time cycling enthusiast, racer and father of Jeff Louder, a pro cyclist who placed third in the 2006 Tour of Utah.
"I really think this is one of the premier stage races in America," Heiden said. "I see no reason why we can't become the premier stage race in America."
One of Wilson's primary tasks will be finding sponsors. Larry H. Miller and Zions Bank have agreed to remain as title sponsors while negotiations are underway with other potential partners which will be needed to make the race a success.
Last year's purse of more than $45,000 attracted several of the top national riders and teams. With a goal to raise at least $1.5 million for the operating budget, the Tour of Utah wants to see its purse continue to grow so it can eventually attract riders such as Dave Zabriskie — a Salt Lake native and regular challenger for the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France.
"Eventually, that's where we want to be," Wilson said. "We have to take it slowly, though. Right now, we want to make the race as successful as we can at this level and let it grow. In a few years, maybe we'll get some of those teams and racers."
With the race now covering the July 4 weekend, Tour of Utah officials hope plenty of people will be inclined to watch a stage or two. Last year's circuit race stage in downtown Salt Lake City was watched by an estimated 30,000 spectators.
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com