16 of the top teams in the world will be competing in this year’s Tour of Utah. We present a guide below.
UCI ProTeams (*world rankings as of May 4, 2014)
● Belkin-Pro Cycling Team (The Netherlands) , No. 10 on UCI WorldTour
● BMC Racing Team (USA), No.6 on UCI WorldTour
● Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA), 14th on UCI World Tour
● Team Garmin-Sharp (USA), No. 12 on UCI WorldTour
● Team LAMPRE-MERIDA (Italy), No. 11 on UCI World Tour
● Trek Factory Racing (USA), No. 8 on UCI WorldTour
UCI Pro Continental Team (UCI ranking as of May 25, 2014)
• Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS), 2nd on UCI Oceania Tour
● Team Novo Nordisk (USA), No. 30 on UCI America Tour
● UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA), No. 14 on UCI America Tour
UCI Continental Teams, America Tour (UCI ranking as of May 25, 2014)
● Bissell Development Team (USA), 16th on UCI America Tour
● Funvic Brasilinvest-São José dos Campos (Brazil), No.1 on UCI America Tour
● Hincapie Sportswear Development Team (USA), No 4 on UCI America Tour
● Team Jamis-Hagens Berman presented by Sutter Home (USA), 7th on UCI America Tour
● Jelly Belly presented by MAXXIS (USA), No 17 on UCI America Tour
● Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA), No 5 on UCI America Tour
● Team SmartStop (USA), 3rd on UCI America Tour
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team (NED)
Website: www.teambelkin.com/
Facebook: TeamBelkin
Twitter: @teambelkin
2014 Roster: 28 riders
This is the first time this European-based ProTeam will compete at the Tour of Utah as the Belkin-Pro Cycling Team. Last year the Dutch squad claimed 38 victories including Bauke Mollema’s stage wins at the Tour de Suisse and the Vuelta a España. Also in 2013, Robert Gesink (NED) won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec. In 2014 racing to date, the team has claimed stage wins at the Tour of Norway, Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, Paris – Nice and Tour de Langkawi.
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Website: www.bmcracingteam.com
Facebook: BMCProTeam
Twitter: @BMCProTeam
2014 Roster: 28 riders
BMC Racing Team returns to the Tour of Utah for its sixth appearance in the race. Founded in 2006, the BMC Racing team is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. The BMC Racing Team has had many successes at the Tour of Utah, including winning one stage (Greg Van Avermaet) and finishing third overall in the team classification in 2013, winning two stages and the overall in 2012. Ranked sixth in the UCI World Tour, one of the U.S.-based team’s goal for 2014 is to rack up 40 wins, nine more than the previous year. The team heads into 2014 stacked with American talent, Brent Bookwalter, Taylor Phinney and Tejay Van Garderen in addition to new recruits Peter Stetina and Lawrence Warbasse. In 2014 racing to date, the 2011 Tour de France Champion Cadel Evans (AUS) won a stage and finish second overall at the Tour Down Under, Philippe Gilbert nabbed the victory at Amstel Gold Race and De Brabantse Pijl and newly crowned USA Time Trial Champion Taylor Phinney won a stage at the Amgen Tour of California..
Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA)
Website: www.cannondaleprocycling.com/
Facebook: CannondaleProCycling
Twitter: @cannondalePro
2014 Roster: 28 riders
Current Ranking: 14th on UCI World Tour (as of 4 May 2014 rankings)
The Cannondale Pro Cycling Team returns to the Tour of Utah for the fourth consecutive year. The Italian squad is constructed around Peter Sagan (Slovania), who performs equally well in classics and stage races, in uphill or pure sprint finishes and sometimes even in short time trials. Sagan’s haul was an impressive 22 wins in 2013, including two stages of the Tour de Suisse, a stage of the Tour de France. Among his victories so far in 2014 include stage wins and the overall sprinter’s jersey at the Amgen Tour of California. Another top sprinter on the team is Italian Elia Viviani, who won two stages at this year’s Tour of Turkey. The American rider on the team is Ted King of New Hampshire, who was the bronze medalist at the 2011 USA Cycling Professional Road Race national championship.
Team Garmin-Sharp (USA)
Website: www.slipstreamsports.com
Facebook: RideArgyle
Twitter: @Ride_Argyle
2014 Roster: 29 riders
Team Garmin-Sharp will return for a fifth year. Team Garmin-Sharp emerged 11 years ago as a development squad by CEO Jonathan Vaughters and became a ProTour team in 2007. The rejuvenated 2014 roster includes eight Americans- Nathan Brown, Tom Danielson, Caleb Fairly, Tyler Farrar, Phil Gaimon, Alex Howes, Benjamin King and Andrew Talansky. In 2013, Danielson won the overall title at the Tour of Utah, while young teammate Lachlan Morton (AUS) soloed to a stage win and won the best young rider classification. New recruit Gaimon started off 2014 with a bang with a stage win and second overall at the Tour de San Luis. Australian Rohan Dennis claimed a second win and finished second overall at the Amgen Tour of California.
Lampre-Merida (ITA)
Website: www.teamlampremerida.com/en
Facebook: TeamLampre
Twitter: @Lampre_Merida
2014 Roster: 26 riders
Italy’s Lampre-Merida makes its inaugural appearance at the Tour of Utah in 2014. The team achieved two major triumphs during the off season in the transfer market by signing Rui Costa (Portugal) and Chris Horner (USA) for the 2014 road season. Costa claimed two stages wins at the Tour de France in 2013 before his superb win in the 2013 UCI Road World Championships. Horner, who won the overall at the 2013 Vuelta a España, claimed one stage and finished second overall at last year’s Tour of Utah. So far in 2014, Lampre-Merida has garnered victories at the Tour Down Under, Trofeo Laigueglia, Volta ao Algarve, Vuelta a Mallorca, VDK-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, Tour of Japan and the Giro d’Italia.
Trek Factory Racing (USA)
Website: www.trekfactoryracing.com
Facebook: TrekFactoryRacing
Twitter: @TrekFactory
2014 Roster: 28 riders
The Trek Factory Racing squad, registered in the U.S.,is one of the newest WorldTour teams for 2014. The Trek Factory Team is built around leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, a world champion. In 2014 racing to date, Julián Arredondo (COL) won two stages, both mountain-top finishes, while his teammate Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA) sprinted to victory at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina. Cancellara won the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The Trek Factory Racing roster also includes American rider Matthew Busche and German superstar Jens Voigt, who both raced in Utah last year.
PRO CONTINENTAL TEAMS
Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS)
Website: www.drapaccycling.com/
Facebook: drapaccycling
Twitter: @DrapacCycling
2014 Roster: 17 riders
Founded in 2004, Drapac Professional Cycling is the only Australian team to currently hold a UCI Professional Continental license. The 17-rider squad of Australian and Dutch riders features 2007 Australian Road Champion Darren Lapthorne, reigning U23 Australian time trial champion Jordan Kerby and Jonathan Cantwell, an Aussie sprinter who previously raced for Team Saxo Bank. So far in 2014, the team has claimed stage wins at the Tour of Japan, Tour de Taiwan and New Zealand Cycle Classic. It is currently ranked 2nd on UCI Oceania Tour (as of 25 May 2014).
Team Novo Nordisk (USA)
Website: www.teamnovonordisk.com/
Facebook: TeamNovoNordisk
Twitter: @teamnovonordisk
2014 Roster: 17 riders
Team Novo Nordisk is the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team with a mission to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes. In 2006, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, assembled a group of eight cyclists with Type 1 diabetes to take on the grueling 3,000 mile Race Across America and raise diabetes awareness. The team went on to win the event in 2007, 2009 and 2010. The American Pro Continental team features a diverse roster of riders representing 10 different countries. The team features two Americans, Joe Eldridge, the 2012 National Champion in track’s team pursuit, and Benjamin Dilley. In 2014, David Lozano, an 11-time mountain bike champion of Spain, captured the King of the Mountains classification at the Cholet Pays de Loire in France. The team competed at the Tour of Utah four previous times (2007, 2009-2011) as Team Type 1. Expected to return to Utah this year is veteran rider Javier Megias (Spain), who finished second on stage 4 in Salt Lake City in 2011.
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
Website: www.uhcprocycling.com/
Facebook: UHCprocycling
Twitter: @uhcprocycling
2014 Roster: 23 riders
A fourth year Pro Continental squad, Team UnitedHealthcare has participated in every edition of the Tour of Utah. The team, Often referred to as “The Blue Train,” has garnered three stage wins (2006 and two in 2012), an overall victory (2006) and finished second in the overall team classification in 2013. Among the 10 Americans on the roster are Jeff Louder (Utah native who won the Tour of Utah in 2008), Kiel Reijnen (2014 and 2013 Philadelphia Classic winner), Ken Hanson and Luke Keough. Team UnitedHealthcare topped the UCI America Tour Rankings in 2013. Chris Jones won most aggressive on Stage 1 of the 2013 Tour of Utah. So far in 2014, the team has claimed stage victories at the Tour de Langkawi, Tour de Taiwan and Tour of Norway.
CONTINENTAL TEAMS
Bissell Development Team (USA)
Website: www.bisselldevelopmentteam.com/
Facebook: BissellDevelopmentTeam
Twitter: @BissellDT
2014 Roster: 14 riders
Current Ranking: 16th on UCI America Tour (as of 25 May 2014 rankings)
With a new title sponsor BISSELL Homecare Inc., the Axel Merckx-led U23 development team returns to Utah. Racing previously as Bontrager Pro Cycling Team and Bontrager-Livestrong, team alum Joe Dombrowski won the best young rider classification in 2012. The original iteration of the Bissell Development Team was created in 2009 with the vision to develop the next generation of elite cyclists. To date, 14 riders have advanced to the UCI WorldTour ranks. There are eight Americans on the 2014 roster, including the reigning U23 National Road Champion Logan Owen. The 18-year-old Bremerton, Oregon native finished fourth at both the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships and UCI Road World Championships in 2013. Brothers Chris and Tanner Putt of Park City, Utah are both on the roster. This year the Bissell Development Team has claimed a stage win at the New Zealand Cycle Classic and at the Tour of the Gila.
Funvic Brasilinvest-São José Dos Campos (BRA)
Website: www.ciclismopinda.com/
Facebook: teamcyclingfunvic
Twitter: @cycling_funvic
2014 Roster: 15 riders
Founded in 2010, Funvic Brasilinvest-São José dos Campos is a Continental squad that leads the UCI America Tour in 2014. The Brazilian team includes 15 riders from South American countries Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. In 2012, Magno Nazaret took the overall title at the Vuelta al Uruguay and the Tour of Brazil. Earlier this season, Nazaret took two stage wins and the overall title, once again at the Tour of Brazil. André Almeida is the reigning Under-23 Brazil National Time Trial Champion. The team is currently leading the UCI America Tour rankings. It is the team’s second trip to the Tour of Utah.
Hincapie Sportswear Development Team (USA)
Website: www.hincapieracing.com/
Facebook: HincapieRacing
Twitter: @hincapiedevo
2014 Roster: 14 riders
In its third year as a UCI Continental team, the Hincapie Sportswear Development Team returns for a second year to the Tour of Utah. The young South Carolina-based team, with an average age of 22 years, has a roster of American, Australian, Latvian and New Zealander riders. The 14-rider team features two-time U23 National Criterium Champion Ty Magner, who wore the Best Young Rider’s jersey at the Tour of Utah for two days after finishing third on the first stage. The team also includes Joey Rosskopf, who had eight podium placements last year and finished second in the 2013 USA Cycling NRC standings.
Team Jamis-Hagens Berman presented by Sutter Home (USA)
Website: www.jamishagensberman.com/
Facebook: jamishagensberman
Twitter: @teamjamishb
2014 Roster: 13 riders
Team Jamis-Hagens Berman presented by Sutter Home returns for the third time at the Tour of Utah in 2014. The American Continental team recruited new talent for this year and will be looking to shine at the Tour of Utah. In 2014 racing to date, Daniel Jamarillo, of Colombia, claimed two mountain-top stage wins at the Tour of the Gila. His teammate, Gregory Brenes (Costa Rica), finished second overall at the same race in New Mexico. Team Jamis-Hagens Berman is the current leader of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The squad also won a stage and the overall at the Joe Martin Stage Race.
Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis (USA)
Website: www.jellybellycycling.com
Facebook: jellybellycycling
Twitter: @jellybellyteam
2014 Roster: 13 riders
Based in San Marcos, California, Jelly Belly Cycling Team is the longest-running professional bicycle racing team in the United States. In its 15th year, the team’s 13-rider roster includes reigning national champion Luis Lemus (MEX) and 2013 national champion Freddie Rodriguez (U.S.). Rodriguez is a four-time U.S. National Road Cycling Champion, while Lemus, is a two-time Mexican National Champion at only 21 years of age. Lemus finished fourth overall in the best young rider classification at the 2013 Tour of Utah.
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Website: www.optumprocycling.com/
Facebook: OptumProCyclingpresentedbyKellyBenefitStrategies
Twitter: @optumpbkbs
2014 Roster: 13 riders
The Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies team returns to the Tour of Utah for a sixth year featuring experienced riders from the U.S. and Canada. The 13-rider roster includes Jesse Anthony (USA) who won a stage at the 2011 Tour of Utah, Tom Zirbel, the 2013 USA National Time Trial Champion, Eric Young, the reigning USA National Criterium Champion and Canadian Ryan Anderson who placed third in the 2013 UCI America Tour Rankings. In 2013, the team took top honors in the 2013 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, and was the top Continental team in the UCI America Tour Rankings, with a third overall placing. So far in 2014, victories include stage wins at the Vuelta Mexico and Tour of the Gila as well as a stage win and the overall King of the Mountain classification at the Amgen Tour of California by Canadian Will Routley.
Team SmartStop (USA)
Website: www.teamsmartstop.com/
Facebook: SmartStopProCycling
Twitter: @teamsmartstop
2014 Roster: 15 riders
With a revamped roster for 2014, Team SmartStop switched its focus to stage racing after seven years of successful criterium racing. The change in direction paid off for the UCI Continental team based in Winston-Salem, N.C. Eric Marcotte delivered the first Stars-and-Stripes jersey for the team by winning the USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Championship May 26, with his teammate Travis McCabe taking silver. Julian Kyer finished fourth in the USA Cycling Professional TT National Championship. In addition, victories so far in 2014 include stage wins at Vuelta Independencia Nacional, Redland Bicycle Classic and Joe Martin Stage Race. Team SmartStop has an international squad of riders from five countries, including New Zealander Michael Torckler, who won last year’s King of the Mountain jersey at the Tour of Utah.
