The six-day 2011 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah professional cycling stage race is scheduled for August 9-14, with an opening prologue and five stages. Billed as "America's Toughest Stage Race," the overall route incorporates some stunning scenery and epic climbs along the Wasatch Front in central and northern Utah.
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah began as the Thanksgiving Point Stage Race & Cycling Festival as a three-day event over Memorial Day weekend in 2004. The Utah Cycling Partnership purchased the event in 2007 and re-launched the cycling event in 2008 as a five-day race. The race had grown from 9,000 feet of climbing in the first years to nearly 30,000 feet of climbing, becoming known as America's Toughest Stage Race. The Tour of Utah is now sanctioned by both USA Cycling, Inc. and the UCI.
In January, the UCI elevated the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah to a 2.1-rating, joining the Quiznos Pro Challenge in Colorado and the Amgen Tour of California as the only top-rated stage races in North America.
1. Tuesday, August 9 - Park City - Prologue
Like last year, Park City will host two stages, but for the first time will host the opening Prologue, a short preliminary time trial to establish the race leader.
Park City is known for hosting the ski and snowboarding events in the 2002 Olympics, and is the site of the annual Sundance Film Festival.
2. Wednesday, August 10 - Ogden - Stage 1, Road Race
This is the fourth year in a row that Ogden has hosted a stage of the Tour of Utah.
3. Thursday, August 11 Provo - Stage 2, Road Race
While the race has passed through Provo in past years, it is the first time that the city will be an official host city. Provo is the home of Brigham Young University (with 34,000 students, one of the largest private universities in the county). and was named the most conservative large city (over 100,000 population) in a national study.
4. Friday, August 12 - Miller Motorsports Park - Stage 3, Individual Time Trial
2011 marks the fourth consecutive year that Miller Motorsports Park will host the Individual Time Trial. At almost 4.5 miles (7.2 km), it is the longest road racing facility in North America. It opened in 2006.
5. Saturday August 13 - Salt Lake City - Stage 4, Circuit Race
This is the fourth year in a row that Salt Lake City has hosted a stage of the Tour of Utah. The capital city of Utah, it was the host city for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
6. Sunday, August 14 - Park City to Snowbird Resort - Stage 5, Road Race
The week will conclude with its signature "Queen Stage" which runs from Park City to the finish at the Snowbird Resort.
