Exergy Tour Team Presentation

The 5 day, 4 stage (+1 prologue) Exergy Tour begins tomorrow, and the event was officially kicked off this evening in Boise (''boy-see'' and not ''boy-zee''), Idaho.

Since our arrival from Gatineau a couple of days ago, the organizers have taken very well care of us.  This evening was no different.  There was a pretty extravagent buffet outdoors for the presentation, and even an Exergy ice sculpture for the occasion.  It was a shame that I had already eaten, because there was smoked salmon on the menu.  I like smoked fish.

Flags of almost every country for the riders and the fans were handed out, I took one with a maple leaf on it, of course.  Riders from all around the world are here: Canada, US, Taiwan, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Colombia, Italy...the list goes on.  In the streets, on TV, and even in the airport, there is media promoting the race that will be covered live for the next several days.  Even the governer of Idaho came out this evening to welcome the women to America's biggest women's stage race.

The Olympians (past and present) in the race were invited up on stage.  It's a good indication of the calibre of athletes that are going to be fighting for victory this year.  The audience got a hoot out of a few of the presentations, especially when the overseas teams were up on stage.

The organizers stressed that this women's race shall be as prestigious as the top men's tours in America, and so far they're living up to their endeavours.  I can't wait to get out on the roads in Idaho's capital with my teammates from Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies.  We're eager to race.