Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team is ready to head overseas for the Tour of Utah, from August 7th to the 12th, 2012.
“The race is very challenging,” explained Brian Holm, who will be guiding the team. “Already on the first day it will be important to stay concentrated; there are more than 2700 metres of altitude change spread out over 210km of racing. The second day we will face a team time trial which is essential for the classification. Saturday will be the Queen Stage with more than 3000 metres of altitude change and a high altitude arrival at Snowbird Ski. We’ll also have to suffer on the last day with a short but very tense stage. Leipheimer will be the squad leader."
"I'm looking forward to defending my titles at the Tour of Utah and the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado," Leipheimer said. "As an American rider, it's always a special experience to race in front of a home crowd and these two races have quickly become world class with beautiful demanding courses and enthusiastic fans."
The short American stage race is also a debut for the stagiaire Jeroen Hoorne. This year the 23- year-old Belgian has made his mark with a victory in the Tour du Piémont Vosgien and some important placements in races like the Flèche Ardennaise and the Circuit de Wallonie.