Door is open for Horner to race Tour of Utah
BMC Racing, Cannondale, Trek-Segafredo, and IAM Cycling make up the list of 12 squads that were announced Wednesday.
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Four UCI WorldTour teams will line up at this summer’s Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, and the August stage race will also welcome the Lupus team, which counts former Vuelta champ Chris Horner as its leader.
U.S.-registered BMC Racing, Cannondale, and Trek-Segafredo, along with Switzerland’s IAM Cycling, are the four top-tier squads that will compete in the seven-day race that kicks off August 1.
The race organizer named eight other teams, including two Pro Continental squads (Novo Nordisk and UnitedHealthcare) and six Continental teams. Four additional teams will be announced later this spring, and rosters for the race are expected sometime in July.
Ten of the 12 teams announced Wednesday have collected 18 stage wins in Utah since 2011.
“It’s an honor to have such a prestigious field of teams confirmed early in the year for the Tour of Utah,” executive director Jenn Andrs said. “We hear so much positive feedback from teams around the world about the welcoming host venues, stunning scenery and competitive courses in Utah. We look forward to announcing the final field of 16 competitive teams for a great week of racing in August.”
2016 will be BMC’s eighth appearance in Utah and the seventh for Cannondale. IAM Cycling will make its debut, while Trek has raced Utah on two previous occasions.
Cannondale’s Joe Dombrowski won Utah in 2015, while fellow American Tom Danielson — racing for Garmin-Sharp, the previous version of Cannondale — triumphed in 2013 and 2014. BMC was victorious in 2012 thanks to Swiss rider Johann Tschopp. American Levi Leipheimer won in 2010 and 2011 racing for Mellow Johnny’s (2010) and RadioShack (2011), the former name of Trek – Segafredo.
Notably, Horner’s Lupus Racing Team will be in Utah this year. Horner, now 44, won the 2013 Vuelta a Espana racing for RadioShack – Nissan. After stints with Lampre – Merida and Airgas – Safeway, he signed with Lupus for 2016. It’s unclear if Horner will race Utah, but he did finish second in 2013 and 2014.
WorldTour teams
BMC Racing
Cannondale
IAM Cycling
Trek – Segafredo
Pro Continental teams
Novo Nordisk
UnitedHealthcare
Continental teams
Axeon Hagens Berman
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team
Jamis
Jelly Belly – Maxxis
Lupus Racing Team
Rally Cycling