Sixteen teams have been announced as competing by organisers of the Tour Of Alberta in Canada.
The race, which has a 2,1 category and which starts in Grand Prairie with a team time trial on September 2nd and finishes in Edmonton on September 7th, sees five World Tour teams in Trek Factory Racing (USA), Orica-GreenEdge Cycling (Australia), Team Giant-Alpecin (Germany), Team Katusha (Russia) and American team Team Cannondale-Garmin, taking part in the third edition of the race.
Pro-continental teams entering are Drapac Professional Cycling (Australia) and Bora Argon18 (Germany).
Three Canadian teams in Garneau-Quebecor (Canada), Silber Pro Cycling Team (Canada) and H & R Block (Canada) have been accepted along with five American teams in Team SmartStop presented by Schneider Electric, Lupus Racing Team, Hincapie Racing Team, Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, Axeon Cycling Team and Team Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis.
“Without doubt, this is rounding out to be the best field in the three years of the event. We have six teams that are in the Tour de France currently and the top professional teams on the continent, all full of good young talent,” says Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial Executive Director, Duane Vienneau. “There is a rise in Canadian cycling talent that will be showcased this year, and we’re glad this race provides a major platform for them to compete against some of the world’s best.”
Rosters for the event will be announced in late August. The Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial, will serve a special purpose this year as the World Championships take place on North American soil for the first time since Hamilton in 2003, as Richmond, Va., U.S.A. plays host to that global event in late September.
“We’ve had extra-ordinary demand from teams wanting to compete in this year’s Tour of Alberta,” added Vienneau. “That’s due to a combination of factors, including the growth of the event, the solid reputation we’ve built, and a prelude to the World Championships.”