Torrey, Utah – Key Location for Tour of Utah Cycling Race

  Aug 5-11, 2013 – Cycling fans, get ready to hit the highway and push the limits of endurance in the 2013 Larry H. Miller – Tour of Utah.  Attracting some of the world’s best cyclists, the Tour of Utah is one of only four UCI-sanctioned American pro cycling events, taking riders over diverse terrain and some of Utah’s toughest climbs. Second only to the renowned Tour de France, the six-stage, world-class race has been called “America’s Toughest Stage Race” due to the altitude and high temps.

Torrey, Utah is honored to be a host city for the tour’s 2nd stage.  At the junction of Scenic Highway 12 and Highway 24, Torrey is a gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, offering easy access to the park’s west entrance, Thousand Lake and Boulder mountains, and dozens of trails and canyons to explore.  The town boasts many shops and galleries, lodging, and quality restaurants.  Positioned at 6,800 feet, Torrey offers pleasant summer temperatures, clean air, colorful pioneer history and small-town hospitality—everything you expect from “the biggest little city in Wayne County.”  From the moment you drive into town beneath the canopy of 100-year-old cottonwood trees, you’ll see what visitors from Zane Grey to Butch Cassidy and everyone in between have always known—Torrey town has hosting down pat.

  In 2012, this extremely challenging cycling event welcomed more than 500 riders from 22 states and foreign countries. The 2013 Tour of Utah is scheduled for August 5 through 11.  Covering almost 550 miles of diverse mountain terrain, the 2013 Tour of Utah promises increased mileage, greater elevation changes (more than 38,500 feet), and stronger riders than ever before. Seven of the professional cycling teams that entered last year’s race also competed in the Tour de France. The 2013 Ultimate Challenge takes place Saturday, August 10, following the Queen Stage route, with three distance options. Brand new for 2013 is the Ultimate Challenge Femme, designed just for women with 30- and 60-mile options and dedicated vehicle support.

Stage 1 kicks off at 9,600 feet at Brian Head Resort to Festival City, U.S.A. (aka Cedar City).   Stage 2 travels through gorgeous Capitol Reef country from Panguitch to Torrey.  The race continues through Utah’s high desert farm country (Stage 3), to Salt Lake City for the downtown circuit race (Stage 4). The Queen Stage (Stage 5), also known as America’s Toughest One-Day Cycling Adventure,™ takes racers on a 112-mile, high-altitude tour from Snowbasin to Snowbird ski resorts, with more than 12,000 feet of climbing. The race finishes with the epic Park City route (Stage 6) featuring some of the steepest climbs and descents in pro cycling. Volunteers along the route at every stage will provide meals and drinks, a place to rest or just cheer you on.

The Tour of Utah is free to spectators. For classifications and jersey information, visit www.tourofutah.com  If you also mountain biking then check out these trails in Capitol Reef Country.

Race history: The Tour of Utah began as a regional race until its inception as the Tour of Utah in 2004. The Larry H. Miller Group purchased the race in 2007, shortly after it received UCI status. Still, it took until 2008 to achieve national race status, with five stages and $75,000 in prizes. In 2010, the Tour of Utah was added to the UCI America Tour and open to professional teams. Five ProTeams entered in 2011, and six competed in 2012.  As of 2011, only 88 riders were able to finish this challenging stage race. In 2012, pro racer Johann Tschopp of Tour de France fame grabbed the Leader’s Jersey during the Queen Stage.