2016 Tour of Utah - Stage 7

Stage 7, the final stage of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah was relatively short at 78 miles, but made up for that with harsh final climb up Empire Pass. As in past years, the race started on Historic Main Street in Park City, Utah. The riders rode two short parade laps downtown before the start flag dropped and the racing began. The course headed east from Park City towards the foothills of the High Uinta Mountain Range and through the town of Kamas. From there the riders headed south, then turning east at Woodland riding along the Upper Provo River. The course doubled back then headed up the steep climb up Wolf Creek Ranch. At this point, the skies started dumping rain making the fast and twisty descent into the town of Heber City a sketchy affair. The course then crossed through Midway, Utah and started up the Empir Pass climb. Rough pavement and grades over 20% at times made for a very nasty finish to a hard week of racing. Upon summiting the climb, the racers dived down a high speed, twisty road followed by a short uphill drag to the finish line on Main Street. Lachlan Morton of Jelly Belly Maxxis powered up the climb and ripped the descent to take the stage win. Morton started out the day 22 seconds behind Andrew Tolansky the current race leader. He managed to make up enough time on the Empire Pass climb that he took the overall lead to win the race by over one minute. It was a real show of strength by Morton, so keep an eye on him as his career develops.

Tanner Putt greets his doppelgangers and fan club before the start of Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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The moto marshalls are on course. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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TV moto ready to go for Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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And they're off! Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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The breakaway rolls along the Upper Provo River above Woodland, Utah. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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The peloton chases the breakaway as they roll along the Upper Provo River. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Scenic vistas greet the peloton along the Upper Provo River above Woodland, Utah on the way to Wolf Creek Ranch. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) celebrates the win on Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Jelly Belly soigneur gives Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) a well deserved pat on the back after winning Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Drapac) finishes Stage 7 realizing that he has lost the leader's yellow jersey. 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Race Chairman Steve Miller congratulates Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) for his overall race win. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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The winner Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) gets the podium presenters kisses. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Stage 7 winners L-R: 2nd place Adrien Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman) 1st place Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) 3rd place Darwin Atapuma (BMC Racing). 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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TJ Eisenhart (BMC Racing) seems shocked to receive the podium kisses on Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Final jersey winners L-R: King of the Mountains & Best Young Rider Adrien Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman) Fan Favorite TJ Eisnhart (BMC Racing) Yellow jersey & overall winner Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) Most Aggressive Rider (Rob Britton (Rally Cycling) Sprints Leader Kiel Reijnen (Trek Segafredo). Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Overall Best Team Winner: BMC Racing. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Want some? Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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The champagne is spraying as the BMC Racing Team celebrate the overall best team win at the 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Race Chairman Steve Miller presents Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) with the race trophy commorating his win of the 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Stage 7 winners L-R: 2nd place Adrien Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman) 1st place Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) 3rd place Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Drapac). 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Race announcer Brad Sohner reminds Adrien Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman) that he's only 18 years old and underage to be drinking a bottle of champagne here in the conservative state of Utah. Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly Maxxis) hoses down Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Drapac) as Adrien Costa (Axeon Hagens Berman) watches on while the champagne flys during the podium awards after Stage 7, 2016 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Photo by Dave Richards, daverphoto.com
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2016 Tour of Utah - Stage 7