The 2016 Tour of Utah is here and unlike the last time I was at the race in 2013 this year I’m racing it. 3 years ago I was in Park City, Utah getting in some big miles for my last year of running eligibility at the University of Virginia and hanging out around the race while it came through Salt Lake City. Even before seeing it live I followed the Tour of Utah religiously. Utah has always had a special place in my heart. My parents met here and were married in Guardsman’s pass in a high alpine meadow the race passes twice on stages 6 and 7. My grandparents owned a house in Park City until 2005 and still rent over the summer. I haven’t missed a year in Park City since I was born and consider it a second home and a favorite vacation/relaxation spot. I grew up watching cycling with my Dad so the opportunity to see a big time race in one of my favorite places was a treat. To see it in person three years ago was awesome. To be here preparing to race it just 3 years after moving from cycling to running, hard to imagine honestly.
Regardless, here I am, about to start the biggest race of my life. To some it’s another day at the office, but to me it’s more like racing a grand tour, I’m not sure if I’ll ever compete in a bigger race (but you never know I guess). I'm rarely nervous for racing but this is a littler different. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was part filled with excitement and part nervous of the firepower and parcours of the race. It's going to be a long week and a serious test no doubt. Since the beginning of the year, racing the Tour of Utah was one of the big goals. Here’s to a great week with a good team and hopefully proving we belong.
Meet the Riders
Barry is from the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and the poor guy has taken the brunt of the jokes so far at the Tour of Utah. From having a third plate at dinner, to not eating a cookie in case it messed with his stomach before his massage, to not carrying the food bag back. At the end of the day Barry is a solid rider who is ripping and ready for Utah. Quick to do whatever it takes to help the team win and an all around soft spoken nice guy. Seriously guys, can you hear me?!? | Chris is definitely the rider people ask me the most about when they ask about the team. Is his diet really that bad, yes and no, but I absolutely make sure to get him that snickers at 70km. Beyond his diet Chris is a definitely the most talkative guy on the team with the most stories to tell and he always has an audience. On the bike the guy moves through the field like a ninja and I've learned a lot following his wheel. Plus, for a grand tour winner, he's quick to jump in the break, help with a leadout, or do whatever he can for the team. He's had less snickers recently and is definitely ready for the Tour of Utah's big climbs. | Joseph is the new guy on the team and Costa Rican National Champion. Honestly, I don't know much about it, but in two days he's been a good teammate. I've mangled more Spanish talking back and forth with him than I'd care to imagine but he's a happy guy that is looking forward to such a big race. Definitely interested to see what he can do in the tough climbs of the Tour of Utah but he brings a great attitude and is a welcome addition. Looking forward to getting to know him more. |
Nicholae is a rockstar but I can barely understand what he is saying. There is a concussion protocol in place here and we're all worried he might fail due to communication. In all honesty his English is solid, WAY better than my Spanish, and the guy can ride and is also the first to congratulate others on a good day. We're pumped to have him on the team and is another threat in the break or for a stage. | Chad has told me way more crazy nutrition facts than I'd care to remember this year, usually while sipping from a Mountain Dew, uh....Chad.... His hatred of trans fats is famous and he's all about those Reishi mushrooms. When he's not talking to me about nutrition and training he can for sure be caught bugging Zack about something on his bike, hey, speaking of, can you check my steerer tube? On the bike he brings some serious experience from U23 and World Tour racing in Europe and should be a guy that can go for a stage and play the GC card here at the Tour of Utah. |
Thomas is one of two resident Frenchies and always making jokes in French that no one can follow, but get a laugh from our Quebec staff and Matthieu. Of course, Thomas is as French as it gets, and you might see him turning up his knows at the local baguette but in terms of racing he is lights out when he wants to get in the break and can ride with anyone in the world. He'll get to be a little more selective this year as he takes on a GC role and hunts some stages but he'll be easy to spot attacking the field, again, again, and again. | Our second resident Frenchie and my roommate for the week. Matt is always smiling and laughing at the races. Constant jokes, more of them in English now, keep the team in good spirits all week. The first to turn his head at the pretty gal walking down the street he's also the first to head into the wind to position teammates and set them up for the wind. The only problem Matt has is sometimes he is too strong and has to give a little less so others can stay on his wheel. This is the guy to be looking for in the break at the Tour of Utah. Still unsure if he's buying Barry a wagon or not... |
Meet the Staff
Follow Along
1. Follow my Instagram and Strava for daily updates.
2. Follow the team on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Each day a photo album from Les Morales will be on Facebook.
3. Follow the Tour of Utah on Twitter and Instagram (#ToU16).
4. Download the Tour of Utah TourTracker App (Apple or GooglePlay). The app will have live video streaming of each race day along with details about the race and a text news feed. You can even re-watch the stages later in the day or whenever you want.
5. Check out the TourTracker website with all the same functions as the app.
6. Fox Sports Network 2 will also have both live and delayed opportunities to watch the race. Schedule here.
The Schedule for the week, all times MST (August 1-7th):
2. Follow the team on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Each day a photo album from Les Morales will be on Facebook.
3. Follow the Tour of Utah on Twitter and Instagram (#ToU16).
4. Download the Tour of Utah TourTracker App (Apple or GooglePlay). The app will have live video streaming of each race day along with details about the race and a text news feed. You can even re-watch the stages later in the day or whenever you want.
5. Check out the TourTracker website with all the same functions as the app.
6. Fox Sports Network 2 will also have both live and delayed opportunities to watch the race. Schedule here.
The Schedule for the week, all times MST (August 1-7th):
- Stage 1: Zion National Park to Cedar City, 84 miles, 6,679ft of climbing, Start - 7:55, Finish - 11:45
- Stage 2: Escalante to Torrey, 99 miles, 9,435ft, Start - 11:45, Finish - 3:45
- Stage 3: Richfield to Payson, 119 miles, 6,337ft, Start - 11:10, Finish - 3:45
- Stage 4: IM Flash to Kearns, 96 miles, 4,504ft, Start - 12:10, Finish - 3:45
- Stage 5: Antelope Island to Bountiful, 114 miles, 6,948ft, Start - 11:15, Finish - 3:45
- Stage 6: Snowbasic to Snowbird, 114 miles, 11,165ft, Start - 10:50, Finish - 3:45
- Stage 7: Park City to Park City, 78 miles, 7,883ft, Start - 12:15, Finish - 3:30
Stage 1: Zion National Park to Cedar City
84 miles, 6,679ft of climbing, avg. speed 43.1km/h (26.8mph), avg. HR 146, avg power 229, NP 288
The first day started with a 12 mile neutral rolling through Zion National Park. An incredible backdrop to the start of the Tour of Utah. Apparently it took an act of Congress and an early start to close the road through the park for us to race on. Well worth it so much thanks to the state of Utah and the race organizers. Once in a lifetime experience that I will always remember. It was great to relax and enjoy the scenery until we rolled out of the park and the real racing began (See what it took to make it happen here). After such a long neutral the break was likely to go quickly as the World Tour guys called for a pee break, truly establishing the break. Matt and I were each in a small move but I was too far back when the move went. It wasn't necessarily hard to make the break from a physiological standpoint, it went quickly after only a couple hard attacks, but the sheer mass of people was hard to get to the front and make a move. Just a lot of guys that wanted the break to go quickly and poor positioning meant we had no one in the break of 4. Six more chances and lots to learn.
The first day started with a 12 mile neutral rolling through Zion National Park. An incredible backdrop to the start of the Tour of Utah. Apparently it took an act of Congress and an early start to close the road through the park for us to race on. Well worth it so much thanks to the state of Utah and the race organizers. Once in a lifetime experience that I will always remember. It was great to relax and enjoy the scenery until we rolled out of the park and the real racing began (See what it took to make it happen here). After such a long neutral the break was likely to go quickly as the World Tour guys called for a pee break, truly establishing the break. Matt and I were each in a small move but I was too far back when the move went. It wasn't necessarily hard to make the break from a physiological standpoint, it went quickly after only a couple hard attacks, but the sheer mass of people was hard to get to the front and make a move. Just a lot of guys that wanted the break to go quickly and poor positioning meant we had no one in the break of 4. Six more chances and lots to learn.
Still, not a bad day to sit in for the team. After climbing out of Zion National Park we had a brief downhill to the sprint point and then the road tilted upward for 47 miles before a 17 mile descent into Cedar City where we did three 4-mile circuits. The team stayed together all day and while steady the pace wasn't super hard. There was a 15-20 minute section as we neared the top that definitely stung a bit as we approached 9,500ft but the team stayed together and we made it safely over the top and down the descent into Cedar City. With 1 lap to go Matt got to the front and kept the pace high and Chad in good position. Chad is focused on GC so not necessarily hunting the stage, but always looking for opportunities he ripped into the final corners in good position but as the sprint got hectic and no doors open he didn't risk anything coming in safely with the rest of us on same time as the stage winner (Kristofer Dahl-Silber Pro Cycling). While we didn't do anything spectacular today, everyone got over the climb and is feeling good. Another hard day tomorrow with a nasty finishing circuit in Torrey, Utah. Stay tuned.
Stage 2: Escalante to Torrey
99 miles, 9,435ft of climbing, avg. speed 39.6km/h (24.6mph), avg. HR 153, avg power 224, NP 289
Today the race started out ballistic. Silber was in yellow and was trying to get someone in the break so they wouldn't have to work all day and Garmin was marking them to ensure they had help. A couple solid groups got some time with Lupus riders in them, but nothing stuck, it kept coming back together. Thomas attacked into a good move, but a dropped chain saw him hit the deck hard. Later he would make it back to the field, but had to finish a hard day with some serious road rash. Hopefully some more motivation for future days. Finally, 40 minutes into the race, it seemed a group was set and the field was happy. Then a couple guys decided to bridge, a couple more, and the racing was back on as we went down this sweeping decent through a rock canyon. It was absolutely beautiful event if I could barely look at it. We had to get back out of the canyon and the climb out was brutal and at full speed. After trying my best to get in the break I was on my limit as the field hit the climb. The entire field split and I came off the back in a group of about 30 riders. Looking up the road there were group everyone, the breakaway getting reeled in and 3-4 "chase" groups all over the climb. Another group formed and Chad came over the radio, "Hey guys, you need to bridge now", I replied, "yea Chad, we're off the back and hoping to come back as we roll over the top.
Today the race started out ballistic. Silber was in yellow and was trying to get someone in the break so they wouldn't have to work all day and Garmin was marking them to ensure they had help. A couple solid groups got some time with Lupus riders in them, but nothing stuck, it kept coming back together. Thomas attacked into a good move, but a dropped chain saw him hit the deck hard. Later he would make it back to the field, but had to finish a hard day with some serious road rash. Hopefully some more motivation for future days. Finally, 40 minutes into the race, it seemed a group was set and the field was happy. Then a couple guys decided to bridge, a couple more, and the racing was back on as we went down this sweeping decent through a rock canyon. It was absolutely beautiful event if I could barely look at it. We had to get back out of the canyon and the climb out was brutal and at full speed. After trying my best to get in the break I was on my limit as the field hit the climb. The entire field split and I came off the back in a group of about 30 riders. Looking up the road there were group everyone, the breakaway getting reeled in and 3-4 "chase" groups all over the climb. Another group formed and Chad came over the radio, "Hey guys, you need to bridge now", I replied, "yea Chad, we're off the back and hoping to come back as we roll over the top.
Eventually the break was brought back by a group of 20 or so, mostly just the strongest riders in the race, the GC contenders. Over the top GC contenders even started attacking. On the descent it all came back together and stayed full gas and our chase group kept on the gas to get back to the action, but it stayed too fast. It took another 20-30 minutes for a small break of two to get up the road and the entire peloton sat up and the break was officially established. Our group came back and the climb up Boulder Mountain began at a relatively relaxed pace, everyone was cooked from the super hard start. From there Silber controlled but let the gap reach as many high as 7:30 over the top of the climb. The team stayed together, ate, and drank and let others control as we raced down to Torrey where we did two larger loops through town. There were some minor tense moments with wind and a small 1.2km climb, but for the most part it was controlled and we could sit it and focus on being well positioned and getting to the finish. Matt and I rode near the front to protect the guys for cross winds and then settled in for the remaining time. After his hard crash Thomas lost a little bit of time right at the end but the rest of us came in together 2:07 behind stage winner Robin Carpenter (Hincapie) from the breakaway. A hard start but an otherwise relatively simple day. Tomorrow is flat with a big steep Cat 1 climb right before the decent into the finish. Should be the first day the GC contenders really start to show.
Stage 3: Richfield to Payson
The longest day of the 2016 Tour of Utah was also one of the simplest. 140km in an essentially flat valley before taking a right hand turn off of highway 89 and up the 15km climb over Mt. Nebo and into Payson, UT. The stage brings us out of Southern Utah and into the Wasatch front stages. With the first true big climb of the race all the GC contenders were on edge. The plan for me was to sit and wait a bit for the break to roll after being a little overly aggressive yesterday. As we ripped out of town though it seemed like everyone was ready for the break to go as soon as possible so I went up to the front and started covering moves. Unfortunately I never quite found the right wheel to follow, the last guy to go across went on the other side of the road, solo, just as I was reeled in for my bridge attempt. Four more days to try and get in the breakaway. At one point I thought I was good, I looked back field was across the road, I was making it up to three guys with 4 more up front and then all of a sudden it was squashed and then the field completely shut down. A couple more attempts but that was it. Afterwards it was sit in all day and fetch bottles.
After being above 7000ft for the first two stages it was HOT in the valley and we went through bottles like crazy. Eventually we made it the right hand turn and the race officially got on, with the breakaway all but reeled back in Jelly Belly set a solid tempo. I was on the left hand side just off of Jelly Belly’s train with all my guys on the other side of the group. I drifted back and started moving over when a big crash took Barry Miller and I down. After finally getting untangled and my chain back on the bike everyone was long gone. I didn’t see my Garmin and apparently lost it in the crash and couldn’t find it on the ground, the biggest travesty of the crash really. From there I rode my way into the groupetto without too much issue, the legs were actually feeling pretty good and I got home no problem. As for the contenders it was a hard day that really separated the best guys. Jelly Belly went to the front and just smashed it, within 2km of the climb starting there were only 15 guys and none of my teammates made the selective group. Lachlan Morton attacked and was joined by Andrew Talansky and Adrian Costa. They went over the top together and were never seen again, with Lachlan taking the win and the leader’s jersey. Chad attempted to bridge to the first chase group but couldn’t quite get there. He, Chris, and Nicholae had to settle with the third group on the road. Chad, Chris, and Nicholae now sit at the same time as 20th place. Still some big days to move up into the top 10 and more days to chase breaks and stage wins, lots of great racing to come! Tomorrow a deceptively “easy” day, doubtful it will pan out like that as we come into the Salt Lake Valley and deal with a rolling course and wind.
Stage 4: IM Flash Technologies to Kearns
94 miles, 4,504ft of climbing, avg. speed 45.1 km/h (28.1 mph), avg. HR 139, avg power 226, NP 284
A day that looked easy on paper promised to be a difficult day. Riding 2.5 laps on the Mountain View Corridor highway. Always slightly up or down and just enough wind to make it a little difficult it was a long 3.5 hours of racing. I hunted the break as hard as I could but watched teammate Nicholae get into the move and settled in with the team for our laps of the highway. We got a quick wave from the breakaway as we made the turnaround as Jelly Belly controlled the front. It was an uneventful day as we made our way along the route. It's a getting a little late in the stage race as we passed halfway and today was as challenging mentally as physically. Eventually the laps finished and we began to position for a possible crosswind section as we turned on to 3 finishing circuits in Kearns, UT.
A day that looked easy on paper promised to be a difficult day. Riding 2.5 laps on the Mountain View Corridor highway. Always slightly up or down and just enough wind to make it a little difficult it was a long 3.5 hours of racing. I hunted the break as hard as I could but watched teammate Nicholae get into the move and settled in with the team for our laps of the highway. We got a quick wave from the breakaway as we made the turnaround as Jelly Belly controlled the front. It was an uneventful day as we made our way along the route. It's a getting a little late in the stage race as we passed halfway and today was as challenging mentally as physically. Eventually the laps finished and we began to position for a possible crosswind section as we turned on to 3 finishing circuits in Kearns, UT.
We got through the corner in perfect position but the crosswinds didn't materialize as we ripped down the hill onto the circuit. As the peloton eased back slightly, Chad attacked hard on the left catching what was left on the break and continuing on. Eventually his group off the front swelled to 12 with two laps to go. The peloton began to fan out through the finish line and I thought his group had a good chance. A turn later Silber came to the front and turned on the pace, it took an entire lap but eventually Chad and company came back and Matt instantly struck out with 2 others, but he wasn't going anywhere. Silber was riding all out and it was hard to just hang on the wheel. The quick pace left it a day for the pure sprinters with Travis McCabe taking the win. Still a good day for the team with Nicholae in the break and a couple attempts at the win on the finishing circuit. Three hard solid days are coming here at the Tour of Utah for us to shake things up.
Stage 5: Antelope Island to Bountiful
Today's stage started on Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake before ripping across the causeway to the valley before heading up two solid climbs before dropping back into the valley and toward bountiful for two hard finishing circuits lined with American flags with one nasty 2km climb that was sure to break things up. Thomas got in the early break of 11 almost immediately and the rest of us covered a couple dangerous moves to bridge but the high speed kept everything together. Eventually the field settled and the gap jumped to 3:00 almost at the click of a finger. The remainder of the day was controlled by a combination of Jelly Belly and Hincapie. The only real stress occurred on the twisting descents off of North Ogden Divide and the fast run in on highway 89 as people kept hitting road crud. I spent the day grabbing bottles and positioning the guys.
Into the base of the climb the breakaway was in sight and I had Chad and Chris right at the front, we made the left and you could see the climb. Gradual for a while and then kicking up. I thought I saw the top and tried to dig in but as we got close to the top I was dangling and then saw the 1km to the KOM sign and the climb bend to the right and kick again, nope, that was it for me that day. The race really began as the peloton hit the climb. Joseph jumped in the first move to go from the group over the top as they continued to chase the few breakaway riders still ahead. As they began the climb for a second time Joseph's group became the lead group catching the last breakaway rider to stay away. Matthew Busche attacked Joseph's group and went solo over the climb but was brought back by a motivated peloton, or what was left of it, before he went over the top. Attacks continued to fly but the peloton stayed together along the tailwind top section leaving 25-30 riders to come together for the finish in town. Chris, Nicholae, and Joseph all stayed in the small select group with Nicholae finishing up in 12th.
Stage 6: Snowbasin to Snowbird - The Queen Stage
Another big GC day at the Tour of Utah. A fast downhill start kept the group together and more tense racing in the valley meant it took a while for the break to roll, finally the field sat up, the yellow jersey peed, and the break was established and Chad had made it, perfect. The middle of the race was relaxed as the two big climbs of Guardsman's Pass and Little Cottonwood Canyon loomed in the distance. The break began the climb with 2:00 on the main field and Chad rode away from the group and was just caught as they crested the top of Guardsmans Pass at 9,600ft and began the big descent down Big Cottonwood Canyon with only 4 guys remaining. The main group whittled down over the first climb and I came off with 5km to the top. From there I was just getting home after a day of working for the team, but the race continued up front.
Nicholae attacked at the bottom of Big Cottonwood and bridged to Chad's group with one other rider. They made contact at the base of Little Cottonwood with 10km to the finish, all up the canyon. Nicholae attacked the group and only Ben King remained. They were both reeled in by the shattered peloton. Joseph flatted at the base and Chris was caught behind a split in the main group by a motorcycle that crashed. Chris ended up in the second group on the road just missing a top 10 finish 1:37 behind stage winner Andrew Talansky. It was a great day for us with representation all day and plenty of racing throughout the day. One more day to go.
Stage 7: Park City Loop
The final day of the Tour of Utah, the last chance to get in the break, and the last day I'd have to worry about a big day tomorrow. The start was fast and furious as the break tried to solidify. Over a small climb hard enough to split the field, but not enough for the break to go. Onto small roads and a crosswind section, still nothing went. Though Kamas and the first sprint, still no break. Slightly uphill on Mirror Lake Highway, big group, Cannonade drilling it back. Finally just before turning up Wolf Creek Canyon the break went, I saw it and shot around to the right hand side and was left along, the field sat up and I dug deep to get there. I wasn't sure I could make it, but had a little help from Janier Acevedo and we got there. Finally made the break, a serious big relief. The break was a mess, we didn't rotate well and it was choppy and on edge. We headed up the steep first KOM together and hit the top as rain, hail, and win came down. We got to the top of Wolf Creek Ranch and wound through the swooping roads on top of the ridge, but the descent never seemed to come. Meanwhile the peloton was exploding. Talansky (yellow jersey) and two others were bridging and the break still wasn't working together. Finally the descent began in ernest as more rain began to fall. The break split up on the descent and we hit the bottom a shrunken group of 4 with the chase group coming and the peloton full gas. It was definitely madness back there.
We got to the bottom of Empire Pass and began the climb. Robin Carpenter looked at me and told me to be careful the start was really steep, don't dig yourself in a whole. I told him I knew the climb well and was dropped from the break shortly thereafter as the road turned up. Chris flatted as the peloton was full gas coming into the climbing, the entire team waiting for him and pulled him back to the group but it was such a big effort and he still started the climb behind the main group. When I was caught Lachlan was off the front and looking good, then the Talansky group, then more groups, still no Chris. He finally got to me but it was clear he wasn't going to be a factor today, bad luck on the final day, but another decent day for the team. I came in with Ben King representing Virginia well. A big relief to finally get in the break and put a nice cap on a hard week in Utah. Looking forward to another opportunity in the future. What a cool experience to race in the state that has been such a part of my life growing up. Twice racing past the high alpine meadow my parents were married in and having my grandparents (30 year Park City residents) at the start and finish today was an unreal experience. Until Alberta.
Keep those pedals spinning,
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Keep those pedals spinning,
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