The 2018 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, July 31 through August 6, is set to again earn its moniker of “America’s Toughest Stage Race.” The 973-kilometer, seven-day event features a tough, dynamic route with over 36,000 ft of climbing. Rally Cycling will take to the start line in Logan, Utah, with the ambition of winning the general classification. Headlining the team will the spectacular climbing duo of Rob Britton and Sepp Kuss, both in the middle of stellar seasons and coming off an extended training camp at altitude.
“Our objective will be the general classification,” said Performance Manager Jonas Carney. “We are bringing a roster with a lot of depth in the hopes of being atop the final podium in Salt Lake. We will also be looking for opportunities to win stages and classification jerseys. Britton and Kuss are our general classification contenders, although Emerson (Oronte) and Adam (de Vos) are riding well right now. The general classification guys are looking at the stage two mountain top finish at Snowbasin and the stage three time trial to gain time. Then, everything will come down to Snowbird. However, there is always a chance for some chaos in Bountiful or the Salt Lake City.”
Sepp Kuss will look to stand atop the podium in Salt Lake City
The 2018 edition of the Tour of Utah kicks off with a scenic route around Bear Lake, ending in the town of Logan. Even with two tough climbs, the stage and the overall lead are likely to be determined in a sprint finish. The leader after stage one will be under pressure on stage two’s steep ride up North Ogden Divide and final 9.6-kilometer ascent to Snowbasin Resort. The third stage sees the riders tackle a short but tough 8-kilometer uphill time trial through Big Cottonwood Canyon, while stage four starts and finishes in South Jordan City and features a jagged profile and over 4000 ft of elevation change. Stage five is a traditional finish into the beautiful city of Bountiful and ends with two demanding circuits that rarely sees the peloton finish intact. The queen stage will again see the peloton tackle the 32-kilometer, 4000 ft ascent to Snowbird Resort. The 2018 Tour of Utah ends the next day with a circuit race through the streets of Salt Lake City, finishing in front of the Utah State Capitol.
Rally Cycling heads to the Beehive State confident and looking to continue its incredible season that includes two WorldTour wins, eight national titles and overall victories at the Tour of the Gila and North Star Grand Prix. Headlining the squad is Britton, who is coming off an incredible Amgen Tour of California and Tour de Beauce. In the Sunshine State, Britton finished second to Evan Huffman in stage four, powered the breakaway in stage seven and ignited the race with a bold solo move in stage five. His efforts in the race's fifth stage garnered him the Most Courageous Rider jersey, which he wore for three days. Britton continued to show his strength in June at Canada’s Tour de Beauce with an incredible 40-kilometer solo breakaway to win the final stage. Climbing sensation and winner of the iconic Iron Horse Classic, Kuss will join Britton in the hunt for overall victory.
Eric Young aims to bring his Tour of Utah stage win count to three
“I’m super excited for the Tour of Utah,” said Kuss. “After taking a break following a successful Tour of California, I’ve been training hard with my sights set on Utah, and I’m feeling great! Considering the climbing-heavy route, I’m shooting for a high general classification placing. Rob is also riding strong, and we can combine for a nice one-two punch on the mountain stages. We have a well-rounded team for Utah that can ride for the overall and set up fast guys like Colin and Eric for stage wins.”
Joining Britton and Kuss will be Amgen Tour of California dual stage winner, and Tour of the Gila champion, Huffman. Also adding to the squad’s general classification firepower is Adam de Vos. De Vos is in the middle of a great season with multiple top-five finishes and victory in the opening time trial at the Joe Martin Stage Race. Emerson Oronte and Danny Pate will look after Britton and Kuss in the high mountains while also looking for opportunities to grab a stage win. In addition to the team’s general classification ambitions, Rally Cycling will look to contest the sprints with two-time Tour of Utah stage winner, and recent Gastown Grand Prix champion, Eric Young. Another rider to watch for in sprint finishes is Colin Joyce who finished second in stage one last year and also finished fifth in the USA Cycling Road Race National Championships in June.
Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Stages
Stage 1 - Logan - Logan (132 kilometers)
Stage 2 - Brigham City - Snowbasin Resort (151 kilometers)
Stage 3 - Big Cottonwood Canyon - Big Cottonwood Canyon (8 kilometers)
Stage 4 - South Jordan City - South Jordan City (201 kilometers)
Stage 5 - Layton - Bountiful (185 kilometers)
Stage 6 - Heber Valley - Snowbird Resort (98 kilometers)
Stage 7 - Salt Lake City - Salt Lake City (117 kilometers)
Rally Cycling for Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
Rob Britton
Adam de Vos
Evan Huffman
Colin Joyce
Sepp Kuss
Emerson Oronte
Danny Pate
Eric Young
