Tour of Utah prologue stage set for St. George
By David Cordero
As an end-of-summer celebration, the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah prologue stage will be held in St. George for the first time Aug. 6. The spectacular pro cycling event, known as America’s toughest stage race, brings world-class pros from around the globe to compete in a six-day stage race with more than 40,000 feet of elevation gain. St. George will be the first stage of this year’s race.
The stage one prologue is a time trial held near the Red Hills Desert Garden on the bluff overlooking the city. In the televised event, 120 riders representing 17 professional teams will start in one-minute intervals as they race against the clock on a 3.3-mile out-and-back course on Red Hills Parkway.
Spectators will enjoy exciting racing, gorgeous views, and some good, healthy fun. Local organizers have planned several activities, including an early-morning kids’ race for children 4–12, a chance for adult riders to clock their time on the course, and a fun-filled expo with cycling gear, shade tents, cooling stations, and a host of children’s activities.
TripAdvisor recently rated the Red Hills Desert Garden as the No. 1 activity in St. George. During the event, the garden will host a fish pond, a bubble machine, and gardening activities along with some unique displays. The expo will also feature a dunk tank, bungee-jump stations, and a climbing wall.
“This is another important element in the powerful sports brand we’ve established here, and for families, it’s a fun and healthy way to celebrate the end of summer,” said Kevin Lewis, director of the St. George Tourism Office. “The cycling scene in this area is first class. The Tour of Utah is one of the elite events in the cycling world, and with it we provide the world another glimpse to the beauty and benefits our residents enjoy every day.”
The prologue is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and go until about 12:30 p.m. It will be broadcast on Fox Sports Network. The kids’ race starts at 9 a.m. Kids are required to wear helmet and shoes and have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
Red Hills Parkway will be closed for the event, but free spectator shuttles and parking are available at the DSU Testing Center at 954 E. Tabernacle St. Spectators who want to cycle to the event are invited to park at the Elks Lodge at 630 W 1250 N and ride from there to the expo via the paved trail system along Red Hills Parkway. There will be a free bike valet at the expo.
The six stages of the Tour of Utah course will offer a total of nine Utah Office of Tourism King of the Mountain climbs. It is the fifth time in 14 years that the tour has included more than 43,000 feet of climbing. The highest climb of the race will occur Aug. 7 during stage one, near Brian Head at 10,600 feet above sea level.
The race will play out in five additional stages throughout the state, culminating with the finish at Park City Aug. 12. The Tour of Utah, also part of USA Cycling’s Pro Road Tour, is free to all spectators.
All seven days of racing will be shown live, start to finish, by TourTracker on mobile devices and the tour’s website.
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