The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah has finally invented itself into the first class biking tournament it was seeking and is considered the best on U.S. soil since its inception 10 years ago.
The last 78 miles from Park City to Park City determined which cyclists made it to the winners circle. It was a comfort for the riders to be in the crisp, mountain air of Park City for Sunday’s Stage 7. The course took off on Main Street in Park City headed towards Peoa, Oakley and Kamas before crossing through Heber and Midway in Wasatch County.
Riders faced only one grueling portion with the ascent through Empire Pass with an elevation of 7,633 feet that sometimes reaches as high as 20% gradient. The peloton had to push their leg muscles to the limit just to grasp the top.
Repeating his stunning win in Stage 6, the 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans, crossed over the finish line in historic Park City and concluded the week-long competition. It was deja-vu as he plotted his smart move as on Saturday by taking his time and then breaking way at the inception of the final ascent in Empire Pass. His time for the last stage of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah was 3 hours 10 minutes 52 seconds.
Tom Danielson carried his lead in the General Classification right to the end. Although losing five seconds on his leading time of the previous stage, he still won the Yellow Jersey for the second year in a row at a time of 30 hours 18 minutes 04 seconds. The balance of those in the top five have been right behind the tail of Tom Danielson right from the start.
PatchNRide, an official sponsor, congratulates all the riders in this challenging race. After 10 years, it is an event that cyclists should be proud of and the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah has made the grade. Remember these names as they will be in the limelight of racing for many years to come. See you next year.
Top 5 Winners of Stage 7
1. Cadel Evans of Australia (BMC Racing Team)
2. Wilco Kelderman of the Netherlands (Belkin Pro Cycling Team)
3. Winner Anacona Gomez of Colombia (Lampre-Merida)
4. Christopher Horner of the Unites States (Lampre-Merida)
5. Thomas Danielson of the Unites States (Garmin Sharp)
Top 5 in the General Classification Standings as of July 10th and the winners
1. Thomas Danielson of the Unites States (Garmin Sharp)
2. Chris Horner of the Unites States (Lampre-Merida)
3. Winner Anacona Gomez of Colombia (Lampre-Merida)
4. Ben Hermans of Belgium (BMC Racing Team)
5. Wilco Kelderman of the Netherlands (Belkin Pro Cycling Team)
Top 5 Teams for Tour of Utah 2014
1. Lampre-Merida 9:33:18
2. BMC Racing Team
3. Trek Factory Racing
4. Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
5. Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis
Best Young Rider
Dylan Teuns of Belgium (BMC Racing Team) in 30:28:07
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