Today's rider line-up for the press conference.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Jeff Louder (UnitedHealthcare) happy to be back racing in his home state.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Funvic Brasilinvest-Sao Jose Do Campos takes to the stage.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
The Hincapie Sportswear Development teams walks over to the team presentation.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Chris Horner (Radioshack Leopard) talks about his long road back to racing this year.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Orica-GreenEdge talks about the American experience so far.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Chris Horner (Radioshack Leopard) is back to racing after a five month layoff from injuries.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Ted King (Cannondale) talks about his experience at this year's Tour de France.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
MTN-Qhubeka talks about coming to the United States to race for the first time.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Funvic Brasilinvest-Sao Jose Do Campos makes it to the stage.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
The Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies team gets introduced to fans.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Jamis-Hagens Berman brought a strong squad for this tough week of racing.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
The Funvic Brasilinvest-Sao Jose Do Campos team waits under a tree for the team presentation.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
An actress from the Southern University Shakespeare Theater read a decree from the governor of Utah.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Today's press conference at Southern University's Grand Hall had a nice turnout.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Jens Voigt (Radioshack Leopard) always brings a smile to the press conferences.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Janier Acevedo (Jamis-Hagens Berman) is one of the week's South American favorites.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
UnitedHealthcare comes onto the stage at the Shakespeare Theater.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
With less than 24 hours before the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah begins, the riders and teams of the 2013 event have been presented at Southern University in Cedar City, which will also host the departure of Stage 1.
For the first time in the race's history, the route will start in Southern Utah and head north toward Salt Lake City. But the biggest change this year for the riders will be the lack of a time trial. Last year's team time trial was a deciding factor in the race, basically knocking two-time champion Levi Leipheimer out of contention for the overall after his team finished last. One again, the queen stage on the penultimate day finishes at Snowbird Ski Area and Summer resort, but the final stage that climbs the brutal Empire Pass could also decide the overall.
At today's pre-race press conference, some of the big names of the peloton including Jens Voigt and Chris Horner (RadioShack Leopard) as well as overall contender Janier Acevedo (Jamis-Hagens Berman) spoke about their chances for the week ahead. Meantime, at the Adams Shakespearean Theatre, all 16 teams took to the stage.
For more, click on the gallery link.
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