Tour of Missouri News & Info

According to a KC Star article today:

Some had doubts the state could pull it off, but key sponsors were announced this week — so now it’s official. Some of the top cyclist teams in the world will converge on Missouri, beginning in Kansas City, for a six-day, 600-mile race in stages across the state.

“It’s been very hard for me to explain to people how big it is,” said Brent Hugh, executive director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation. “As a friend of mine says, it’s like the Super Bowl on wheels.”

Or it could be a dicey time to start a cycling race. The sport is taking a big public relations hit with Tour de France riders dropping like flies this week for alleged doping. But supporters of the Missouri race are optimistic. . . .

“We’re concerned about the negative publicity coming from the Tour de France, of course, but at the same time we’re pleased to see the crackdown” on doping, said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner for Medalist Sports.

He still projects more than half a million spectators across the state for the Missouri race because it’s free and it’s like a festival.

Cyclists in the Tour of Missouri will be subject to the same drug-test requirements as in other professional races. Aronhalt said no one had tested positive in any of the Georgia or California races.

Kenneth Walker, an avid cyclist and racer who started the Major Taylor Foundation of Greater Kansas City to encourage African-American kids to ride, said he doubted the doping scandal would keep many people away.

The cycling community knows that even if some racers cheat, most of them don’t, he said. And people outside the cycling community may not be paying that much attention to the scandal, he added.

Walker acknowledged that turnout would be the key to the future of the race, but he was bullish.

“I think this will be, ultimately, the biggest sporting event to take place in the state of Missouri,” he said. “It’s the opportunity to see international bicycle racers. That’s what I’m excited about.”

The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, ranked first in the world, will be among the competitors here. Team member Levi Leipheimer — as of Thursday in third place in individual standings in the Tour de France — is expected to participate. Full team rosters are to be announced soon.

Related:

TourOfMO: USA Cycling announces '08 Pro Tour calendar including Tour of MO

News: First Proposed Route for the Tour of Missouri St. Joseph to Kansas City

permanent link to article: "Tour de France controversy affecting the Tour of Missouri?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:40 PM |comment on this article

Next week the Tour of Missouri folks will hold a series of press conferences to announce the details routes of the various stages of the Tour.

The exact routes have been a closely-held secret--so now we finally get to know the details!

For more information, see ... www.tourofmissouri.com

Monday July 30th:
Kansas City (location: 810 Zone, 4686 Broadway, KC, MO 64112) 11:00 am

Tuesday July 31st:
Clinton (location: The Square) 10:00 am
Springfield (location: Jordan Valley Park) 1:00 pm
Branson (location: The Landing) 4:00 pm

Wednesday August 1st:
Lebanon (location: City Hall) 10:00 am
Columbia (location: Convention and Visitor's Bureau Building) 2:00 pm
Jefferson City (location: Chamber of Commerce Building, 213 Adams) 4:30 pm

Thursday August 2nd:
St Louis (location: Union Station) 11:00 am

Related:

TourOfMO: Tour of MO charges forward; Toyota-United commits

News: Tour of Missouri 2008 route announced Wednesday

permanent link to article: "ToM detailed route announcements--press conferences"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:21 PM |comment on this article

Mike Weiss, MoBikeFed Board Member and President of the Missouri Bicycle Racing Association (MOBRA), is an amateur bicycle racer and annually leads a tour group to see (and ride parts of the course of) the Tour de France.

Here is Mike's take on why bicycle racing is an incredibly cool event to watch, and how to "tailgate" the Tour:

The start of a professional bicycle race is pretty low key--and the riders are incredibly accessible. They all have to ride to the presenting stage and sign in, which gives fans the opportunity to interact, get autographs and be inches away from some of the best trained athletes in the world. Start cities in Missouri--Kansas City, Clinton, Branson, Lebanon, Jefferson City and St. Louis--will be rolling out the activities and entertainment for the fans. So there will be lots to do and see leading up to and after the race gets rolling.

Seeing a race alongside the route is somewhat of an artform perfected by the European cycling fan. If you check out the roadside along the Tour de France you will see decades of tailgating experience--wine, cheese, families and bar-b-ques in the thousands and the fans find their best vantage point to the see the action unfold. Often following the race live online, on television or radio- leading up the race tearing through the countryside. part of the allure of seeing the race live on course is in the getting there- enjoying the time outdoors, building up the excitement and the plot of the race develops as the terrain and distances changes the plot of the race. If you've never seen a bike race- nothing quite matches the speed and energy of the pro peleton in full flight. Finding a good parking spot--being aware of when the race is "predicted" to pass--and riding, walking, or driving to your 'spot' is expected.

Watching the race along the route is exciting, and you might happen to be present out on the course when an event changing development takes place. But the finish line is where most spectators congregate. Bike races, especially international professional races, have some of the most amazing sprinters in the world- guys who can handle tight courses, high speeds, and explosive energy letting it all loose. Typically a sprint finish for a race of this caliber will see atheltes riding at speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour.

Read Part 2 of Mike Weiss's article How to Tailgate the Tour of Missouri here

Related:

TourOfMO: A fan's guide to the Tour of Missouri

Tips&Stories: Riding a tour on a 20-inch

permanent link to article: "How to "tailgate" the Tour of Missouri"
posted by Brent Hugh at 8:16 PM |comment on this article

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/07/16/doping-and-all-mo-bike-race-pedals/:

the sport is struggling to preserve its public relevance, financial footing and athletic integrity amid increasing allegations of a rampant culture of cheating.

So what in the name of Floyd Landis is the Show-Me State doing rolling out the red carpet — not to mention more than $1 million of taxpayer money — for the inaugural Tour of Missouri, a six-day, 600-mile stage race that will bring some of the world’s top riders here in mid-September?

For Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the answer is simple: a global marketing bonanza the likes of which Missourians have never seen. “This is the greatest opportunity we have ever had to brand Missouri to a national and international audience,” said Kinder, who is also chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission.

The Tour of Missouri is scheduled to start in Kansas City on Sept. 11 and conclude in St. Louis five days later, with stops in Clinton, Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Columbia, Jefferson City and St. Charles.

The tour joins similar high-profile races in Georgia, where this year’s event drew 600,000 spectators, and California, where 1.2 million fans gathered. . . .

Missouri’s strong organ­izing efforts have caught the pro cycling community’s attention, said Sean Weide, a spokesman for the Toyota-United team, which recently committed to the Missouri race. Weide emphasized the importance of the tour’s strong support from state government, which will help oversee details ranging from highway closings to emergency medical needs.

Related:

TourOfMO: Racers prepare for Tour of Missouri

TourOfMO: Gov Blunt to hold Tour of MO press conferences around state

permanent link to article: "Tour of MO charges forward; Toyota-United commits"
posted by Brent Hugh at 1:09 PM |comment on this article

This live map shows the position, speed, heartrate, cadence, and power of bicyclists in real time as they race in the Tour de France.

Related:

Tips&Stories: Finding the best route

News: Are bicyclist impeding traffic? Chesterfield Journal reply

permanent link to article: "Tour de France live map"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:54 AM |comment on this article

What sort of events are planned for the Tour of Missouri?

You know--rides, races, festivals, places or events where you might be able hang out with or even just catch a glimpse of the racers, support staff, team cars, and all the rest.

I can tell you that there are lots of these events in the planning stages, in EVERY city where the tour will start or end, and in some cities where it will just pass through.

There are rumours of some rides the day before or the day of some stages, a race or two for local amateur racers, a gala, and health and wellness festivals.

Every start--and even more, every finish--will have a huge festival set up, with tents, displays, big-screen TVs to watch the action, and much more.

Will there be rides in St. Louis, St. Charles, Springfield, Kansas City, . . . ?

The Kansas City Tour of Missouri Charity Ride has been announced already (8Am Sept 9th, 2007, starting in the Plaza, Kansas City).

Others, I understand, are under development . . .

Related:

TourOfMO: Stage 1 events, parties, rides, and celebrations

News: Tour of Missouri 2008 route announced Wednesday

permanent link to article: "Tour of Missouri events"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:14 PM |comment on this article

The volunteer sign-up for the Tour of Missouri is now online at

TourOfMissouri.com/volunteer

Hint: If you want to see more of the race, volunteer for one of the positions at the finish line.

To get one of these coveted positions, you'll want to volunteer early. Like now.

The entire race is shown on giant-screen TV (semi-trailer size). So you can watch the race there and then be there in person for the finish.

Meanwhile, by helping out with the volunteer end of things, you get a look at the "backstage" of the race.

600,000 came out to watch the Tour of Georgia last year--over a million watched the Tour of California.

This is going to be B-I-G . . . the biggest bicycling event ever in the history of Missouri.

You don't want to miss it.

(BTW, MoBikeFed Executive Director Brent Hugh is Statewide Volunteer Coordinator for the Tour. Each local organizing committee has its own local Volunteer Coordinator--and you can get in contact with that person by simply filling out the Tour's Volunteer sign-up form.

Related:

News: Columbia moves forward with plans to host Tour of Missouri stop

Tips&Stories: Bicycling the Katy Trail on installments

permanent link to article: "Volunteer for the Tour of Missouri--and get a front-row seat"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:07 PM |comment on this article

SteepHill.tv--one of the best sources for info the pro tours--has the following about the Tour of Missouri:

The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team has officially signed on to participate with a total of five ProTour teams expected at the start line; however, the unfamiliarity and timing of the Tour of Missouri will make attracting ProTour (European) teams harder than the Tour of California and Tour de Georgia. The event's September calendar slot puts the Tour of Missouri in direct competition with a Grand Tour, Vuelta a Espana, and the Tour of Poland which is also a ProTour event. (ProTour teams are required to participate at these two events, but not the Tour of Missouri. Discovery Channel is the only North American ProTour team.) Complicating matters further, the Tour of Britain overlaps with this first year event and it will be looking for five ProTour teams as they had for last year.

No title sponsor has been found yet which is an unfortunate trend of North American cycling events this year, but the race will go as planned.

Related:

TourOfMO: Tour of Missouri planning moving forward

TourOfMO: Discovery Channel team first to commit to Tour of Missouri

permanent link to article: "Discovery Channel commits to Tour of MO--what other pro teams will follow?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 4:57 PM |comment on this article

With the Tour de France starting today--to huge worldwide media attention--it brings up the question: What will bringing professional bicycle racing to Missouri, via the Tour of Missouri, do for the state?

Here is what California Governor Schwarzenegger said it would do for California:

This race not only brings world-class cycling competition to our great state, but it showcases some of the most beautiful places to visit in California, from the pristine coast to modern, urban landscapes.

In addition to displaying the diversity of California’s landscape, this event benefits two incredible organizations. Best Buddies and The Wellness Community work daily to better the lives of others and are an example to us all of what it truly means to give back to our communities.

Hey, Missouri is a beautiful place, too!

No better way to showcase it than 650 miles of bicycle racing covered by the international media . . .

Related:

TourOfMO: Tour of Missouri to bring economic development

TourOfMO: Tour de France controversy affecting the Tour of Missouri?

permanent link to article: "Tour de France starts today . . ."
posted by Brent Hugh at 1:30 PM |comment on this article

According to a Cycling News article:

Photo by Chris Aschenbrener

America's only ProTour team, Discovery Channel, has announced its participation in September's Tour of Missouri. The all-new tour, from September 11-16, will start in Kansas City and conclude in St. Louis.

"Our Team has always had great success racing in the U.S., and we are looking forward to another solid performance in Missouri," said Discovery Channel sports director Johan Bruyneel. "Our success started with Lance and has continued on with guys like Tom (Danielson), Levi (Leipheimer) and more recently (Janez) Brajkovic at the Tour de Georgia. I don't know who will make up our roster just yet, but it will definitely be strong and have some of the Americans."
The Discovery Channel team is led by top Americans Levi Leipheimer, a podium contender in this year's Tour de France, 2006 U.S. National Champion George Hincapie, and 2005 Tour de Georgia winner Tom Danielson.

"We're extremely proud to announce the Discovery Channel team as the first team participant of the inaugural Tour of Missouri," said race director Jim Birrell. "Our goal is to attract top European and North American-based professional teams to this world-class race, and this is a great start."

Event organisers are hoping its season ending date will help attract some large local and European teams. The 600 mile event is made up of six stages - four road race stages with one criterium and a time trial.

More info--or volunteer to help with the race (and get a front row seat)--at TourOfMissouri.com.

Related:

TourOfMO: Tour of Missouri planning moving forward

TourOfMO: USA Cycling announces '08 Pro Tour calendar including Tour of MO

permanent link to article: "Discovery Channel team first to commit to Tour of Missouri"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:08 AM |comment on this article