Saint James Press: Tour of Missouri supporters working for 2010 race

Three Rivers Publishing's story about the 2010 Tour of Missouri:

 

Tour of Missouri supporters working for 2010 race

Written by Rob Viehman

FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2010 20:35

Supporters of the Tour of Missouri, the state's world-class professional bicycle race, today announced a special campaign to develop support for the 2010 race. "The race brings something special to cities large and small across Missouri," said Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation and board member of the Tour of Missouri, Inc. "It has support from every part of the state, from both political parties, and strong support from Missouri's two million bicyclists. "In my eight years with the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation,  I've never seen Missouri's bicycle community so excited about supporting any issue." A small amount of state funding is needed to continue the Tour, which will cross dozens of local jurisdictions as it moves across the state August 31st through September 6th, 2010, and the state Division of Tourism cut all funding for the 2010 Tour in a recent vote. "In a tough budget year the state should dramatically reduce its funding for events like the Tour," said Hugh.  "But it is just ridiculous to eliminate it entirely.  It is no different from eliminating the Chiefs or the Rams for a year, and then expecting them to come back later. They won't--they'll just be gone forever. "People don't realize the high level of respect the Tour has internationally, as one of the very top pro bicycle races in the North America, or how fast the Tour has risen from a mid-level event to one of the top in the world, attracting the same teams and riders as the sport's premier events like the Tour de France and the Olympics." Over the course of three years, an estimated 1.2 Million spectators from more than 40 states and 20 countries have lined the roads of Missouri to see more than 120 world-class athletes race. The event also has been seen on FOX Sports Midwest, Versus and through live webcasts that have reached viewers in more than 170 countries. "The Tour generated over $38 million in economic impact in 2009 and actually brought in more tax dollars than it cost," said Hugh.  "In tough economic times it is just the sort of lift communities across the state need. That's one reason it is so disappointing Governor Nixon and the state Division of Tourism have simply cancelled funding without even reaching out to Missouri's two-million strong bicycling community to see how the event may be continued at much lower expense to the state." Athletes from more than 30 countries have competed in the Tour of Missouri over the past three years making this the most international sporting event Missouri has hosted since the 1904 Olympics. The economic impact on Missouri has been measured at more than $75 million over the past three years. Host cities have received media impressions in more than 170 countries. More than 30 cities have played host to the event and have benefitted from through international recognition. Individuals can support the Tour of Missouri in these ways: • Join the movement at “Support Tour of Missouri” by posting your comments at www.facebook.com/tourofmissouri. More than 4,000 people have joined since Monday, March 15, many submitting their views of the event. • Donate by going to www.tourofmissouri.com, then click through on the donation button. There are various levels with premium benefits for your support. Because the Tour of Missouri is a not-for-profit venture, your donations are tax deductible. • Email or call one of three places: 1. Governor Jay Nixon’s office (573 751-3222, http://governor.mo.gov/contact ) 2. Tourism Director Katie Danner Steele’s office (573-751-3051, DirectorMoTourism@ded.mo.gov ) 3. State legislators, which can be viewed online at www.MoBikeFed.org/ContactElectedOfficials

You can help support the 2010 Tour of Missouri in these ways:

• Contact Missouri officials in support
• Donate to the Tour
• Join the Support the Tour page on Facebook
• Join the Support the Tour twitter page
• Visit TourOfMissouri.com for more info