UTAH -- Cyclists from all over the world are gearing up for one of the biggest international races, which is held right in our own backyard.
The Tour of Utah begins Monday, and this year the annual event is steering a new course.
“We have a tremendous route for tour of Utah: it’s 712 miles long,” said Frank Zang, who is the spokesman for Tour of Utah.
Tour of Utah is covering new ground for 2015, and the week-long race starts in Logan. Cyclists will work their way around Bear Lake, and then hit some new host cities like Tremonton and Bountiful.
Then they'll end up on familiar terrain from Salt Lake to Park City.
“This is the 11th year of the Tour of Utah,” Zang said. “It has gone from a 3-day regional race at Thanksgiving Point to really a world-class professional men’s cycling stage race, with more than 120 riders from 24 different countries--including four teams that are coming from the Tour de France."
Women will also gear up for a two-day competition.
“Women's cycling is on the rise these days,” Zang said. “We have 17 teams and more than 90 riders that will be part of the women’s race as well."
Vicki Varela, managing director for the Utah Department of Tourism, said that as the event grows each year, so do the crowds.
“Tour of Utah has a spectacular impact on our state,” Varela said. “We end up with about 275,000 visitors, and it translates into about $20 million of economic activity."
For those who can't see the action in person, they can watch it from anywhere in the world on TV.
“It is a spectacular video postcard of our state,” Varela said. “It’s just an amazing way for people all over the world to see the splendor of Utah.”
The Tour of Utah begins in Logan on Monday, and if you’d like to check out the races in person and cheer on the cyclists, there are several places along the route to do so. Visit Tour of Utah’s website for the details.
