Home > News

First eleven teams of 2016 Tour of Alberta named

Trek-Segafredo and Cannondale the first two WorldTour teams announced

June 22, 2016
Share on SMS

Organizers of the Tour of Alberta named the first eleven teams of the 2016 edition on Wednesday in Edmonton, with two WorldTour squads from the U.S.A. racing. Fifteen outfits lined up last September in Grand Prairie, and four more WorldTour participants are yet to be announced. The fourth Tour of Alberta will be held September 1 to 5.


Tour of Alberta CEO Duane Vienneau said, “The initial list of teams we’ve assembled is impressive. 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.”

Back in mid-April organizers announced the route, with the race reduced to five stages, also reporting that WorldTour squad Trek-Segafredo, home of Ryder Hesjedal and reigning champ Bauke Mollema would be returning.

Besides Trek-Segafredo, Michael Woods’ WorldTour Cannondale outfit would be lining up in Lethbridge. Woods took the Red Jersey for top Canadian last season with Optum-Kelly Benefit Systems. UnitedHealthcare from the U.S.A. will represent the Pro Continental level.

Michael Woods
Cannondale, home of Canada’s Michael Woods, will compete in 2016 Tour of Alberta (Photo: Santos Tour Down Under/Regallo)

Out of the eight Continental team, two are Canadian: the successful Silber squad and H&R Block. Also racing will be five teams from the U.S.A.: Jelly Belly, Holowesko-Citadel Racing, Rally Cycling, Axeon-Hagens Berman and Lupus Racing Team. The first professional team from United Arab Emirates, SkyDive Dubai Pro Cycling Team, gives the race an international flavour.


Last year’s King of the Mountain Ben Perry races for Silber. Recent Tour de Beauce winner Gregory Daniel rolls with Axeon-Hagens Berman. Rally–once Optum–is the home of Canadians Will Routley and Rob Britton. Vuelta a España champion of 2014 Chris Horner’s longevity continues at Lupus Racing Team.