Tour of Utah set to go

The Tour of Utah rolls off beginning August 6.  It is a six stage event drawing some of the top UCI teams.  To be more specific it is the Larry Miller Tour of Utah.  Larry Miller, a rather non-descript name.  Might as well be the Bob Smith or Bill Jones Tour of Utah.  But then again that may be the SBT’s East Coast bias.  While we do blog quite a bit about the West Coast and the entire globe for that matter, we even have the “California Connection” that helps us with blogs, product reviews and was even our man at the AMGEN Tour of California, we have to admit we had never heard of Larry Miller.  

We do know some of the things that the Larry Miller Group owns and manages: Energy Solutions Arena (once upon a time it was the Delta Center), Total Care Auto, and the Utah Jazz.  The Miller Groups also owns the Salt Lake Bees, minor league affiliate of the LA Angels and since 2007 has sponsored the Tour of Utah.  Miller was born and bred in Utah and in his youth was a tremendous athlete which explains his avid interest in owning sports franchises.  He loved hot rods and racing cars.  This led to his first job as an auto parts salesman which led to a series of fast promotions.  Today the Miler Groups owns 41 automobile dealerships in seven western states.  In sum, the Miller Group owns and manages 18 corporations.  

Larry Miller died at the very young age of 64 due to complications from diabetes.  The long battle with the disease led to the amputation of both his legs below the knees and a series of heart attacks.  In life, Miller was concerned with public welfare and the human condition.  He gave generously of his vast fortune till his last days.  The State of Utah has not forgotten its native son and a number of entities bear his name: Larry Miller Campus at Salt Lake Community College, Larry Miller Softball Field, Miller Free Enterprise Center, Miller Motorsports Park and much more.    

  

First held in 2004 the Tour of Utah has grown steadily each year.  The 2013 route is 586 miles with 43,621 vertical feet of climbing.  The tour is really up in the air, 9,600 feet to be exact with the first stage leaving Brian Head at nearly 10,000 feet in the clouds.  Climbs and high altitude are hallmarks of the tour with Stage 3 showcasing a climb to 11,900 feet to Mt. Nebo, the highest point in the Wasatch Mountains.  

Jensie will be riding in Utah!

Some of the usual suspects will be in Utah: BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Orica-GreenEdge, Team Garmin Sharp and Radio Shack-Leopard-Trek.  We are happy to see Bissell Pro Cycling, 5-Hour Energy-Kenda and Team Jamis Hagens Berman too.  Keep an eye on the Hincapie Sportswear Development Team, the China-based Champion System Pro Cycling team and the team of MTN Qhubeka from South Africa.  Seven countries have sent teams, should be a great week of cycling.   

   

Fox Sports will have the action but the best way to follow is with the Tour Tracker app.  Download it where you get your apps.  The Sticky Bottle Team will be following the action as well so stay tuned to this blog and website for more information.  As always, please visit our website at www.stickybottleteam.net and follow SBTnetUSA on Twitter.