Team Type 1 Stacks Line-Up For ‘Toughest Race’
Salt Lake City – Team Type 1 is ready to meet the challenge posed by the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah – billed as “America’s Toughest Stage Race” – with an impressive roster that looks to continue the team’s recent run of success.
Fabio Calabria and Javier Megias, two riders who have Type 1 diabetes, are part of the team’s eight-man roster for the six-day, 325-mile (523 km) race that begins Tuesday night in Salt Lake City.
Joining the pair is Tour do Rio runner-up Chris Jones, as well as Davide Frattini, and Thomas Rabou – both King of the Mountains title winners this year – and Ken Hanson, Valeriy Kobzarenko and Scott Stewart. Hanson was the second American finisher at Saturday’s criterium national championships.
“Our expectations are big,” Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said. “We want to win stages and do well in the general classification. We have a roster that’s very, very competitive.”
Jones said with Utah being the last domestic stage race on Team Type 1’s calendar, it’s important to have a good showing.
“On a personal level, I am looking for a stage win,” he said. “I have had a solid season, but am missing a win so far. Salt Lake City and Park City also have a strong JDRF and diabetes community, so our riders with diabetes will be motivated to ride well in order to inspire them.”
Calabria competed in the 2008 edition of the race and brings the experience of having to control his Type 1 diabetes at high altitude and in strenuous conditions posed by difficult climbs and windy, hot days in the saddle.
“Personally, I think I’m riding a lot better than I have in the past,” Calabria said. “I feel like I’m coming into the race as well prepared as I could. I’m confident that I can have a good showing. The team’s going to be really strong this week.”
