The Exergy Tour provides a rich pay day for the ladies.
                                        Photo: VeloImages

The 2012 Exergy Tour is proud to welcome the top ladies professional cycling teams from around the world to scenic Idaho. This will be one of the final opportunities for teams to earn international ranking points before the 2012 Olympic Games in London so the very best teams will be coming out in force. Teams from Italy, Germany, Belgium, Australia and the United States, just to name a few, will be participating in this exciting event.
 
THE TEAMS
ABUS NutrixxionAxman
Team TaiwanCanadian National
TeamDiadora - Pasta ZaraEspnWExergy
TWENTY12Faren Honda TeamForno D'Asolo Colavita
GreenEdge -
AISNOW and Novartis for MSOptum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies
Primal / MapMyRide powered by BH Bikes
Sengers Ladies Cycling Team
Team Specialized - lululemonTibco
To the TopTopsport Vlaanderen - Ridley 2012


THE HOST CITIES
Boise, Idaho

First-time visitors to Boise are in for a treat. Newcomers to our city are impressed by our picture-postcard Foothills that provide not only a scenic backdrop to our city, but also unparalleled recreational opportunities for skiers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Our lush parks and the Boise River Greenbelt are nationally acclaimed, and our thriving cultural scene – from the Idaho Shakespeare Festival to our numerous art galleries – is among the best in the West. Downtown Boise is bustling with shops, restaurants, and cultural activities; and our institution of higher learning, Boise State University, is fast becoming known as much for its academic success as its blue stadium turf. Most of all, visitors sense Boiseans’ passion for this remarkable place — and often feel that passion themselves.
 
"Boise is thrilled to welcome this premier cycling competition to our community and we look forward to seeing these world-class athletes compete on our local streets. Boise is a fantastic sports town and has long been a training ground for many local Olympians - it’s wonderful to see another major event shine the international spotlight on us by selecting Idaho as their preferred venue.”  Mayor David H. Bieter

Nampa, Idaho

Nampa is the second largest city in Idaho with half its population under 30 years old. It offers a rich diversity of recreational and entertainment opportunities through world-class facilities like the Nampa Recreation Center, the Nampa Civic Center, and one of its greatest treasures the Idaho Center. With its Horse Park and indoor Sports Center, the Idaho Center is one of the most unique venues in the Northwest, able to host national equine shows with hundreds of horses, while at the same time hosting major concerts with thousands of patrons. Nampa offers 25 parks, more than 9 miles of walking and biking trails, Centennial Golf Course and Ridgecrest Golf Club, which is the third rated golf course in the state. Other nearby amenities include Lake Lowell with fishing, boating and water skiing; Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge; award winning wineries along the Snake River; and the Boise Mountains with vast public land open to everything from mountain biking to snow skiing. While Nampa is a big city for Idaho, it still has the heart and spirit of a small town, a place where people enjoy raising a family, playing, working and retiring.
 
“The City of Nampa is honored to be chosen to host a stage of the 2012 Exergy Tour. This world-class bicycle race will bring to Nampa the top women riders in the world. We are anxious to welcome the Exergy Tour to Idaho, and extend Nampa’s warm hospitality to riders, race officials, and spectators.”
Mayor Tom Dale

Kuna, Idaho

Kuna is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Idaho, located 15 miles southwest of Boise, the state’s capitol. The city boasts a large park, which is home to the Kuna Farmers Market during the summer months, as well as a greenbelt along the banks of Indian Creek, which is perfect for walking or bike riding. Residents also have access to a skate park and BMX bike course located in the downtown area.
 
Kuna is also home to numerous restaurants, a large grocery store, several national chains and a host of service-related businesses that make living in Kuna increasingly convenient.
 
Other neighboring amenities include the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and Swan Falls Dam.
 
“It is indeed a pleasure to welcome the Exergy Tour to Kuna. Our community is excited and proud to be included in this prestigious event and our citizens look forward to meeting, greeting and observing the great athletes that are a part of bicycle racing around the world.”  Mayor Greg Nelson

Garden Valley/Crouch, Idaho

Garden Valley/Crouch is nestled along the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, approximately one hour north of Boise, Idaho. The valley is home to exceptional wildlife viewing, natural hot springs and picturesque mountain scenery. The wild and turbulent South Fork of the Payette River crashes through the deep river canyons to create unforgettable opportunities for rafters and kayakers alike. The Town of Crouch is the center of commerce for the valley and its rustic wooden buildings house a variety of retail, food and service businesses. Included in the Greater Garden Valley area are 500 overnight accommodations through motels, rental cabins, B&B’s or RV parks. Residents enjoy life in a small town surrounded by nature while enjoying conveniences and activities found in larger cities. Hospitality and helping others is the established culture of the valley, which has been a host community to Special Olympics teams and a summer home for many Hot Shot fire crews from around the United States.
 
"As the Mayor of Crouch I am excited for the City of Crouch and the Garden Valley area to be selected as one of the host cities for the 2012 Exergy Tour. This will be monumental for our small rural town to have one of the top women’s cycling events come through our area. I know that the citizens of Crouch and the Garden Valley area will welcome these women cyclists with the hospitality of our beautiful Idaho mountain town." Mayor Bob Powell

Idaho City, Idaho

Idaho City is located in the Boise National Forest, 32 miles northeast of Boise.  It is considered to be the gateway to the rugged Sawtooth Mountains.
 
A year after the discovery of gold near present-day Idaho City, 16,000 fortune seekers filled the Boise Basin searching for the precious metal.  Idaho City – then called West Bannock – had the largest population, 6,167, in the Northwest, even larger than Portland.
 
The history and many of the historic buildings remain, making Idaho City one of Idaho’s most interesting historic communities and tourist attractions.
 
In addition to experiencing the old town, Idaho City is a gateway to almost every type of outdoor activity.  Visitors come to hunt, fish, camp, hike, ride horses, ATVs, snowmobiles, sled at Steamboat Gulch, view the scenery or just enjoy the solitude that the area offers.
 
The community holds numerous events annually to include a chili cook-off, fast draw competitions, rodeo, flea markets, a Fourth of July parade, fireworks and this year Idaho City is celebrating the 150th year anniversary of gold discovery in the Boise Basin.
 
"We are so proud to be a host city for the Exergy Tour. To have the privilege of many individuals from all over coming to experience our Historic town and all of our beautiful surroundings. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful experience." Mayor Jackie Bridwell