As former Hot Tubes rider, Ian Boswell, is setting the world on fire at the Tour of Utah, VeloNews catches up with our fellow rider in a recent article. Here’s a brief excerpt with a link to the full article.

As the air thinned and the clouds built on the high slopes of Mount Nebo Thursday, Ian Boswell (Bissell) clung to the wheel of Francisco Mancebo (Canyon Bicycles) as the three-time Tour de France top-10 finisher pursued eventual winner Levi Leipheimer (Mellow Johnny’s). Boswell’s third-place ride, which bumped him up to fourth overall – and a tie with third overall Darren Lill (Fly V Australia) – confirmed what Trek-Livestrong director Axel Merckx had known for more than a year.

“I was in contact with Ian already last year,” said Merckx after the stage. “He was supposed to go to the development team for Cervelo and that team didn’t happen and I couldn’t pick him up because I was really full last year.” While the timing didn’t work out for Boswell at the RadioShack feeder program this year, the Bend, Oregon-based rider penned a deal to join Trek-Livestrong for 2011.

Boswell, 19, continued his strong ride through the rest of the Utah tour, winding up third overall behind Leipheimer and Mancebo and best young rider.