SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (June 20, 2012) – How do you spot the leader or the best climber out of a speeding pack of 130-plus cyclists? At the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, look for the unmistakable whirl of yellow and the Larry H. Miller Dealerships overall leader’s jersey to spot the top racer. There will be six award jerseys in all to distinguish individuals who lead in specific categories at this year’s race, August 7-12, 2012.
Four of the jerseys distinguish classification leaders in “America’s Toughest Stage RaceTM” and are proudly worn during competition each day: the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Overall Leader’s jersey, the XO Communications Sprint jersey, the Ski Utah King of the Mountain (KOM) jersey, and the Subaru Best Young Rider jersey. Two additional jerseys, Exergy Development Group Most Aggressive Rider jersey and the Miller Lite Best Utah Rider jersey, are special award jerseys that are presented at the awards ceremony after each stage, but are not worn during competition (per UCI rules).
The jerseys have been designed and produced by DNA Cycling, a Utah-based company that manufactures custom cycling clothing. The Utah Office of Tourism, an agency of The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and a Tour partner, will feature its “Life Elevated®” brand statement on both sleeves of the award jerseys. The Utah Sports Commission, which has been an official Tour partner each year, will have its logo displayed below the front collar of each award jersey.
“The yellow race leader’s jersey is one of the great icons of the Tour de France. At the Tour of Utah we use yellow to distinguish the overall race leader as well. The Ski Utah King of the Mountain jersey has become quite popular at our race, since we use our region’s celebrated snowflakes in the design. All of the jersey designs give our fans a great way to easily recognize the best athletes each day. These jerseys also represent high honors for individual hard work and success for the athletes during race week,” said Steve Miller, president of the Tour of Utah.
As the title sponsor of the UCI-sanctioned race, the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies will spotlight its Larry H. Miller Dealerships brand on the overall leader’s award jersey. Larry H. Miller Dealerships include 23 different automotive brands in more than 45 dealership locations in seven western states. The tradition of using the color yellow to signify the race leader was first used by the Tour de France in 1913. This bright color distinguishes the top rider on the general classification, the G.C. leader. The G.C. leader will have the lowest accumulated time for the race, and it may not be the winner of an individual stage. On the final day of the Tour, the rider awarded the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Overall Leader’s jersey is determined the champion of the six-day race. Past winners the Tour of Utah include Scott Moninger (USA) in 2006, Jeff Louder (USA) in 2008, Francisco Mancebo (ESP) in 2009, and Levi Leipheimer (USA) in 2010 and 2011.
The Ski Utah King of the Mountain (KOM) award jersey will feature blue snowflakes on a white jersey with yellow trim. This offers a fresh take on a traditional polka-dot theme used in many races for the best climber in the peloton. It is the same snowflake used by Ski Utah to promote “The Greatest Snow on Earth®”. This jersey is earned by collecting points at designated KOM locations along the grueling climbs of the Wasatch Front. There will be 13 Ski Utah KOM climbs in 2012. Only the top three cyclists who cross the KOM climbs receive points, and the rider with the most accumulated points is awarded the Ski Utah KOM jersey each day.
The XO Communications Sprint award jersey will feature a new purple palette, which is part of the company’s new brand campaign that launched in April. The XO Communications Sprint jersey is awarded to the rider who specializes in bursts of speed, but not just at the finish line. Points are amassed at designated Sprint Lines along the route and by finishing in the top 15 places at the finish line of each stage. As one of the nation’s largest communications service providers of advanced VoIP, Internet, managed network, and hosted IT solutions, XO Communications will honor the cyclist who is bold and focused on speed.
The up-and-coming riders of professional cycling compete for the distinction as the Subaru Best Young Rider. Sponsored by the Wasatch Front Subaru Dealers, this prestigious jersey goes to the best rider under the age of 24. This is determined based on the athlete with the best overall time in the general classification. At the Tour of Utah, this athlete then earns the right to wear the sky blue Subaru Best Young Rider jersey during the next day’s stage.
As part of its increased support for the 2012 Tour of Utah, the Exergy Development Group will recognize the rider who demonstrates a courageous and extraordinary performance during each day’s contest. The Exergy Development Group Most Aggressive Rider award jersey is judged by a panel of national media and race officials, who will vote daily to determine the winner. This white jersey depicts the extraordinary elements of Utah, from salt to sand to snow. A rider can qualify for consideration by attacking on a climb, bridging a significant gap or launching a decisive breakaway.
Unique to this event is the Miller Lite Best Utah Rider award jersey. Special recognition is extended to athletes who were born or raised in Utah during their childhood, or who now call Utah home. From this pool of competitors, the one with the best overall time each day earns the dark blue jersey, which reflects the color of the mountain lakes. This is the second year that Miller Lite has been involved as a sponsor of the Tour of Utah.
The Tour of Utah continues to be free to all spectators, making professional cycling one of the most unique pro sports in the world today. More information about the Tour of Utah and its partners can be found by visiting www.tourofutah.com, with updates on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
The Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah is a six-day, professional bicycle stage race along the Rocky Mountain’s Wasatch Range. Known as “America’s Toughest Stage RaceTM,” it covers 545 miles of racing through some of Utah’s most beautiful and challenging terrain. Now in its eighth year, the Tour of Utah is scheduled to take place August 7-12 as a UCI 2.1-sanctioned stage race for the best professional cyclists in the world. The event is owned and operated by the Utah Cycling Partnership. Larry H. Miller Group of Companies continues as the title sponsor. www.tourofutah.com
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