Despite the copious amounts of riders that peddle across the Heartland's county roads, enjoying the rolling green hills of Missouri's back country...very few are aware that one of the nations premier bike races is about to make its home in our backyard.
Somebody call the diesel drivers and tell them to get their chew ready, this is prime time. Not only will they get to honk and spit at bikers next week, they'll get to honk and spit at some of the world's best bikers.
From September 11-16, professional cyclists from more than 20 countries, representing 15 of the world's top teams will cover 600 miles from Kansas City to St. Louis.
And this isn't just your typical Sunday stroll through the county, this is competitive cycling at it's best. The Tour of Missouri, in it's initial year, is slated as one of the nation's top three stage races, behind the prestigious Tour de Georgia and Amgen Tour of California.
Cycling in Missouri doesn't get the same amount of attention, or respect, that it does in the Western U.S.; but nonetheless, next week all Midwesterners will get a chance to see numerous Tour de France riders as well as a plethora of up-and-coming riders who are considered to have legitimate shots at etching their names on the long list of cycling greats. You'd be a damned fool to miss this.
Your complete Tour of Missouri guide is below.
QUICK FACTS:
*Dates: September 11-16, 2007
*Estimated Total Miles: 600
*Number of Teams: 15 (all professional, elite)
*Total Cyclists per Team: 8
*Number of Cyclists: 120
*Ranking: 2.1 (third highest in North America, in terms of prestige)
*National Television: Versus
*Sanctioning: International Cycling Union, USA Cycling
*Presenting Partners: State of Missouri, Missouri Division of Tourism
*Event Management and Marketing: Medalist Sports, KOM Sports Marketing
*More information: www.tourofmissouri.com
*Travel Information: www.VisitMo.com
STAGE 1: Tuesday, September 11
*Kansas City to Kansas City, road race, 85 miles
*Start: 1 p.m.
*Estimated Finish: 4:30 p.m.
*This out and back course will start in the uptown section of Kansas City in the trendy Plaza District and route north into the rolling Missouri countryside, passing through North Kansas City, Farley, East Leavenworth, Beverly, Tracy, and Platte City. After a few potential breakaway attempts, the 120 cyclists should enter the final three, five-mile circuits en masse for a finish that will likely feature the top sprinters jousting for position and a chance to not only win the stage but capture the Missouri Tourism Yellow Leader's Jersey. The final circuits will feature some of Kansas City's world-famous fountains. The first point for the Michelob ULTRA King of the Mountains competition will be awarded.
STAGE 2: Wednesday, September 12
*Clinton to Springfield, road race, 125.6 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:30 p.m.
*After an hour transfer south to the quaint town of Clinton, near the trailhead of the state-long Katy Trail, racers will meander through the flat to rolling terrain farther south to the All-American city of Springfield. The race will start in the historic district of Clinton before heading adjacent to Highway 13, passing through the towns of Fair Play, Aldrich, and Walnut Grove, including an Edwards Jones sprint line in the town of Stockton, before racing into downtown Springfield and two final circuits. Barring a potential odd breakaway, this should be another day for the top sprinters in the field. With time bonuses on the road and at the finish line, a change in the race leadership is possible.
STAGE 3: Thursday, September 13
*Branson, individual Time Trial, 18 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 1:55 p.m.
*The caravan will transfer 45 minutes south to the booming tourist town of Branson. The Landing, a new development along the river, will play host to the start of an individual time trial with a finishing climb rolling up to Shepherd of the Hills, at about 1,300 feet. KOM points will be awarded for the final climb up to the finish. Dubbed "the most decisive day" of the inaugural Tour of Missouri, this 18-mile time trial features very hilly terrain with stretches on a four-lane highway that will keep speeds high for the top time trialists. Branson is known for showmanship; therefore, the winner of this stage needs to put on a big performance with the likely result being the yellow fleece which he and his team will most likely need to protect all the way to St. Louis.
STAGE 4: Friday, September 14
*Lebanon to Columbia, road race, 133 miles
*Start: 10:30 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:25 p.m.
*The Caravan once again will transfer, this time 90 minutes north to the agriculture hub of Lebanon, for the start of this lengthy stage. The race will snake through the towns of Guthrie and Ulman, highlighted by a sprint in Jefferson City and points available for the Edward Jones sprint jersey. The longest stage and potentially the most difficult of the inaugural event, the first part of the race will be flat before rolling as it gets closer to Missouri's beautiful rivers en route to the finish in the educational center of Columbia. The race will finish near the campus of the University of Missouri in the heart of downtown Columbia. It will be a double bonus for Missouri Students as it is Parent's Weekend.
STAGE 5: Saturday, September 15
*Jefferson City to St. Charles, road race, 126.6 miles
*Start: 11 a.m.
*Estimated Finish: 3:40 p.m.
*The caravan will make a short 30 minute transfer to Jefferson City for the start of the penultimate stage of the race. Starting against the backdrop of Missouri's Capitol building, this stage is another difficult one, despite no major climbs. Though starting dead flat for the first 25 miles, the course features a serpentine route along Highways 94 and 100 along the Missouri River, passing through the heart of Missouri's booming wine country, hitting Augusta, Herman, and Washington en route to the finish in beautiful and historic St. Charles, the second oldest American settlement west of the Mississippi. The race finishes near the famous Lewis and Clark Rendezvous and passes near Davy Crockett's house and includes a quarter mile stretch near the finish line over bricks on St. Charles' historic Main Street. With a reported 6,000 feet of undulated climbing, this stage is ripe for a breakaway that could stick, or at bare minimum challenge the race leader and his team.
Stage 6: Sunday, September 16
*St. Louis, circuit, 74 miles
*Start: 1 p.m.
*Estimates Finish: 3:40 p.m.
*The race makes a short jaunt south and east to Missouri's largest metropolitan area - St. Louis. Peering down Market Street, riders will glimpse the famous Arch as they start. The start will take place at St. Louis' famous Union Station. Riders will race seven circuits of 10-plus miles through urban terrain. The race, likely a promenade of sorts, still could feature a breakaway of riders way down in the general classification. The course moves west and back east, driving through the northeast part of Forest Park, which played host to the 1904 World's Fair and Olympics. The course sandwiches St. Louis University, passing by the north and south-side of the campus. With the Cubs at Cardinals and the 49ers at Rams taking place during the early part of the race, the finish could see spill-over crowds from those two sporting events, making the finale one to remember for this sports-crazy town. Either way, the backdrop is something the overall champion won't soon forget.
THE TEAMS:USA National Team, Discovery Channel, BMC, Colavita-Sutter Home, DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed, Health Net-Maxxis, Jelly Belly, KodakGallery-Sierra Nevada, Navigators Insurance, Prodir-Saunier Duval, Sparkasse, Slipstream-Chipotle, Symmetrics, Tecos, Toyota-United.
***Information provided by VeloNews
5 comments:
I'll be there!
You will be happy to know that there were 40,000 people lining the streets yesterday in the KC area to watch the race. Lots of press coverage. Looks like it is off to a good start.
That's great to hear. I talked to a friend in St. Louis who's volunteering for the race and he said there's been absolutely no press leading up to the event. He said "absolutely nobody knows about it."
Props to KC for not wasting this opportunity.
STL...GET ON IT! SUNDAY!
There has been pretty good coverage by your old newspaper in your old hometown. Is the guy from Durango in this race?
Tom Danielson is not racing this week. Danielson is undergoing surgery to repair a broken collarbone that he suffered in the first stage of the Tour of Spain. His surgery is scheduled to take place on September 20th.
There is, however, much optimism about him being a number one competitor in next year's Tour de France...barring his health.
Not only has Danielson suffered the clavicle injury, but he's also dealt with a recent bout of life-threatening Giradia disease.
He seems to be fully recovered, however, and once he nurses that shoulder back to health he should be back on the bike.
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