Lance Armstrong calls Gov Nixon about Tour of Missouri

According to several news sources, Lance Armstrong called Missouri Governor Jay Nixon last week to encourage him to continue the Tour of Missouri in 2010 and beyond:

Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti says Armstrong called the Democratic governor late Friday afternoon, according to the Associated Press.

According to Cardetti, Armstrong said it would be great to continue funding the race but that the cyclist also indicated that he understood securing additional corporate sponsorship for the race would be necessary.

Although the Astana cycling team Armstrong rode for this season participated in the Tour of Missouri earlier this month, Armstrong did not take part in the race.

Several Democratic leaders in the Legislature this week sent Nixon a letter urging him to continue state funding.

The decision to continue or not continue the Tour of Missouri for 2010 will most likely be made by the end of the year--so I encourage you to continue calling and emailing Governor Nixon's office:

Email: https://governor.mo.gov/get-involved/contact-the-governors-office
Call: 573-751-3222
Ask: Governor Nixon, will you support the 2010 Tour of Missouri **and** will you support bicycle friendly policies for the stage, including Complete Streets and funding for bicycling & pedestrian facilities in any future MoDOT funding?

Representatives from MoBikeFed met with the Governor's staff last week and they seemed very open to the idea of supporting common-sense policy positions in support of better, safer bicycling in Missouri.

But the more Missouri citizens ask, the more Governor Nixon will listen.