June 17, 2014 (Edmonton, AB) – Italy’s Cannondale Pro Cycling, the team of Peter Sagan, Australia’s top team Orica-GreenEDGE and The Netherland’s Team Giant-Shimano a list of 12 additional teams announced for the Tour of Alberta, September 2-7, 2014.
The teams join previously announced Garmin-Sharp of the United States and Belkin-Pro Cycling. All are World Tour teams who will compete in the Tour de France. Ten additional teams were also announced, including Pro Continental teams United Healthcare of the United States as well as a composite professional Canadian National Team.
“Like last year, we have put together a great world-class field which includes several top-ranked, top-tiered teams along with the top teams on the North American continent,” said Tour of Alberta Executive Director Duane Vienneau. “We’re extremely pleased to have the Cannondale and Garmin-Sharp teams back, noting Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp) were two of the big heroes from last year’s race. To gain Orica-GreenEDGE and Giant-Shimano, which have some of the world’s best sprint corps, which will really spice up what is expected to be a fast race.”
The remaining teams include: Garneau-Quebecor (CAN); Silber Pro Cycling (CAN); Team Jelly Belly presented by MAXXIS (USA); Optum presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies (USA); Hincapie Sportwear Development Team (USA); Team SmartStop (USA); 5-Hour Energy (USA) and the Bissell Development Team (USA), which is managed by Axel Merckx, who is a Canadian resident.
“I look forward to bringing the national team to Alberta again for 2014,” said Gord Fraser, the Canadian National Team Director. “Last year’s inaugural edition was a tremendous success not only for the development of my Canadian riders, but also showcasing professional cycling to media and business leaders in western Canada and across the globe. Last year my rider Antoine Duchesne had a fantastic race that helped him secure a place on a world tour team and I’m hoping someone from this year’s team has a similar opportunity.”
Each team will have eight athletes. Preliminary rosters for the race will not be announced until late August.
Last year, the event drew 120 cyclists, including Tour de France and Olympic heroes as well as several former and current world and national champions. In total, athletes from 25 countries were represented within the world-class teams. The world’s No. 2-ranked rider at the time, Sagan won four of the event’s six stages. Dennis won the overall race and this year placed second overall at the Amgen Tour of California, one of the top races outside Europe.
2014 Stages
– September 2 / Tuesday / Prologue / Calgary, time trial
– September 3 / Wednesday / Stage 1 / Lethbridge, circuit race
– September 4 / Thursday / Stage 2 / Innisfail to Red Deer, road race
– September 5 / Friday / Stage 3 / Wetaskiwin to Edmonton, road race
– September 6 / Saturday / Stage 4 / Edmonton to Strathcona County, road race
– September 7 / Sunday / Stage 5 / Edmonton, circuit race
Roster of Teams
Pro Tour Teams
– Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA)
– Orica-GreenEDGE (AUS)
– Team Giant-Shimano (NED)
– Garmin-Sharp (USA)
– Belkin-Pro Cycling (NED)
Pro Continental
– United Healthcare (USA)
Continental
– Garneau-Quebecor (CAN)
– Silber Pro Cycling (CAN)
– Canadian National Team (CAN)
– Team Jelly Belly presented by MAXXIS (USA)
– Optum presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies (USA)
– Hincapie Sportwear Development Team (USA)
– Team SmartStop (USA)
– 5-Hour Energy (USA)
– Bissell Development Team (USA)