Tour of MO receives highest rating--2.HC

According to a KCStar article today by Rick Alm:

After just two years, the Tour of Missouri has been promoted to international cycling’s big leagues.

The Union Cycliste Internationale has announced that next year’s weeklong, 600-mile race across the Show Me State will be rated 2HC, “the highest ranking it can get in the U.S.,” said Andy Lee, a spokesman for the union’s American affiliate, USA Cycling.

The rating means the race will award premium international competition points to winners, which Lee said should attract more attention from fans, the international media and top international competitors. The field could even include cycling superstar Lance Armstrong, who by the race’s start on Sept. 7 next year may have added an unprecedented eighth Tour de France winner’s jersey to his collection.

This is big, and very good, news for the Tour.

The 2.HC rating will help in every way--from reaching more sponsors to finding more fans and attracting even stronger riders and teams.

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