Tour of Alberta announces team roster for 2015 race

Monday, the Tour of Alberta announced the remain 11 teams that will compete when the event gets underway Sept. 2, rounding out the final roster of 16 competing teams at the prestigious western Canadian bike race.

Todd Aalgaard July 20, 2015

Stage 4 of the 2013 Tour of Alberta headed into the foothills and Canadian Antoine Duchesne (National Team) hung on Cadel Evan's wheel as an early breakaway group went the distance. "I was aiming for something like this," said Duchesne. "It was good to have the opportunity to show my strength is equal to those top guys." Photo credit: Jeff Bartlett — Stage 4 of the 2013 Tour of Alberta headed into the foothills and Canadian Antoine Duchesne (National Team) hung on Cadel Evan’s wheel as an early breakaway group went the distance. “I was aiming for something like this,” said Duchesne. “It was good to have the opportunity to show my strength is equal to those top guys.” Photo credit: Jeff Bartlett

Monday, the Tour of Alberta announced the remain 11 teams that will compete when the event gets underway Sept. 2, rounding out the final roster of 16 competing teams at the prestigious western Canadian bike race.

The announced roster adds Canada’s three professional teams: Team Garneau-Quebecor, Silber Pro Cycling Team, and H&R Block Pro Cycling. Along with these three heavyweights, the squad of Canada’s Rob Britton, Kris Dahl and Zach Bell—Britton was ranked 10th overall at the 2015 Amgen Tour of California and Bell was 2014’s national champion—had been added to the mix, too. The U.S.’s Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies had been included, which boasts Alberta’s Ryan Anderson, a winner of the past two Pomeroy Inn & Suites Best Canadian jerseys at the Tour of Alberta, as well as 2015’s national champion Guillaume Boivin.

In addition to those five teams, Trek Factory Racing, Bora-Argon 18, Lupus Racing Team, Team Jelly Belly presented by Maxis, Hincapie Racing Team, and Axeon Cycling Team will be lining up.

“Without doubt,” said Tour of Alberta executive director Duane Vienneau, “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. 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.

“We’ve had extraordinary demand from teams wanting to compete in this year’s Tour of Alberta,” Vienneau added. “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.”

Those world championships start in late September, Richmond, Va. This will be the first time since 2003, when Hamilton hosted the championships, that worlds will be in North America.

2015 Tour of Alberta Teams

World Tour
Trek Factory Racing (USA)
Orica-GreenEdge Cycling (Australia)
Team Giant-Alpecin (Germany)
Team Katusha (Russia)
Team Cannondale-Garmin (USA)

Pro Continental
Drapac Professional Cycling (Australia)
Bora-Argon 18 (Germany)

Continental
Garneau-Quebecor (Canada)
Silber Pro Cycling Team (Canada)
H & R Block (Canada)
Team SmartStop presented by Schneider Electric (USA)
Lupus Racing Team (USA)
Hincapie Racing Team (USA)
Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies (USA)
Axeon Cycling Team (USA)
Team Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis (USA)