June 22/16 18:11 pm - Tour of Alberta Announces First 11 Teams

Posted by Editor on 06/22/16
 

The Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial, scheduled for September 1-5, announced the participation of UCI World Tour team Cannondale Pro Cycling and nine other teams today.  WorldTour Team Trek-Segafredo, the team of 2015 race champion Bauke Mollema, was previously announced earlier this Spring.

The other nine teams include top Pro Continental squad UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA); Continental teams including Canada's Silber Pro Cycling (CAN) and H&R Block Pro Cycling (CAN), Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis (USA), Holowesko|Citadel Racing Team presented by Hincapie Sportswear (USA), Rally Cycling (USA); Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team (USA); Lupus Racing Team (USA); and SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team (UAE), the first professional team from United Arab Emirates.

The list of WorldTour teams currently announced is stacked with competitive squads. Cannondale Pro Cycling is one of the world's best teams and contains top riders such as American Andrew Talansky, a top-10 Tour de France finisher, Canadian Michael Woods (top Canadian in 2015 race) and last year's two-time stage winner and podium Tom-Jelte Slagter at the Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial with continental teams. Trek-Segafredo is the team of Ryder Hesjedal, Canadian cycling legend and winner of the 2012 Giro d'Italia, considered cycling's second biggest stage race.

"The team is thrilled to return to Alberta after a very successful run in 2015 with Bauke Mollema, albeit in hopefully better meteorological conditions this time," said Trek-Segafredo's General Manager Luca Guercilena, joking about the unseasonable colder and rainy conditions on a couple stages last year. "As a North American-based squad, we are excited to race in Canada's top stage race and show our stripes to our fans in Canada. It is a beautiful part of the world. Last year's GC battle was one to revel in and we hope to see another fierce fight this year."

Top Canadian teams Silber Pro Cycling Team and H&R Block Pro Cycling will return and promise to continue to elevate their performance in what has become Canada's National Tour.

"The initial list of teams we've assembled is impressive," said Tour of Alberta CEO Duane Vienneau. "The level of professional cycling in Canada, as well as all of the Americas, has dramatically improved the past few years and our roster of teams reflect great depth with good young talent."

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team returns to the Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial after a one-year hiatus. The team is one of the top-ranked squads in the Americas and winner of several big races in the United States this season. There are several surging continental teams, including Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team, led by Canadian resident general manager Axel Merckx, and Holowesko l Citadel Racing Team, owned by prolific brothers Rich and George Hincapie. Axeon Hagens Berman Pro Cycling Team is the team of current U.S. National Champion Gregory Daniel, the recent winner of the Tour de Beauce, one of Canada's top races.

Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis is led by Australian Lachlan Morton and upcoming Canadian Jordan Cheyne. Rally Cycling, the former Team Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies which participated last year, is the team of veteran Tour de France rider Danny Pate, Canadians Will Routley and Rob Britton, who finished third place in the 2015 USA Pro Challenge.  Lupus Racing Team is the team of Chris Horner, a winner of the Vuelta Espana, and the only North American to win that race.  SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team is a new and unique team that will be welcomed to the event, and is co-sponsored by Canadian bike manufacturer Argon18.

Tour of Alberta presented by ATB Financial team rosters with specific athletes will be released in August. Additional participating teams will be announced within the coming weeks.

WorldTour
Trek-Segafredo (USA)
Cannondale Pro Cycling (USA)

Professional Continental
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)

Continental
Silber Pro Cycling (CAN)
H&R Block Pro Cycling (CAN)
Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis (USA)
Holowesko | Citadel Racing Team p/b Hincapie Sportswear (USA)
Rally Cycling (USA)
Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team (USA)
Lupus Racing Team (USA)
SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team (UAE)