Recognizing the opportunity to become host to a top tier professional cycling race, Missouri delivered with the 2009 Tour of Missouri and stole the attention of cyclists and supporters world-wide.

As two versions of the race were gradually built up, the tour of the show-me state began to be seen as one of the top among the nation. Then the 2009 edition catapulted its success to the international level. Competing with the traditionally deep Tour of Spain, which occurred over the same week, the Missouri stage race was still able to entice top caliber riders. In fact, several of the most prominent international pro teams - Columbia HTC, Astana, Saxo-Bank, and Garmin-Slipstream split their teams so to have riders in both competitions. And as it turned out, their best raced in the Midwest.

Props to the fans of the great state of Missouri, the hardworking race organizers, the tenacity of Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, and funding from the Missouri Department of Tourism for pulling off such a feat. Their efforts put the foundation in place for the race, which turned out to be a compelling sporting event.

From the get-go, the race was full of exciting sprint finishes, grueling breakaway attempts to out power the almighty peloton, and the dreadful crashes that left spectators gasping and wondering how the rider was able to pedal onward.

Continue reading in the racing section.

    GetAbout Columbia and PedNet Coalition have teamed up this month to promote September as “Way To Go To Work Month.”  The hope is to increase bicycle awareness, usage and good bicycling etiquette throughout Columbia by providing courses such as “Bike Skills 101” and “Confident City Cycling.”
    Another program implemented in the past few months is GetAbout’s Errand Bikes Program.  This program allows businesses in The District to borrow bikes from GetAbout for any need - making deliveries, biking to work, or simply advertising. 
    PedNet’s Program Coordinator Janet Goden said that in particular the restaurant Main Squeeze has made this story a success by purchasing its own bike after completing the 30-day trial.  The Errand Bikes Program is available to any business owner trying to “green” their operation, reduce traffic around their businesses, or simply trying to promote a healthier lifestyle for their employees and customers.

Read the rest in our advocacy section.

With his team keeping breakaways in check during Stage Seven, Team Garmin-Slipstream’s David Zabriskie was able to easily wheel his way to victory as the 2009 Tour of Missouri champion on Sept. 13.

The Stage Seven win went to Martin Gilbert of Team Planet Energy who narrowly crossed over the finish line ahead of Andrew Pinfold of Team OUCH and Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo in a time of two hours, 33 minutes, and 11 seconds. The peloton finished three seconds behind the homestretch sprinters; however, no rider was able to close the 30 second gap that Zabriskie had put on the field in the overall standings after his individual time trial victory, enabling him to glide under the finish line as the new champion.

Riders kept a brisk pace through much of Stage Seven, a 72 mile circuit race which wound its way through the streets of downtown Kansas City, Mo. 10 laps through the course kept Kansas City’s devout fans entertained as they packed both sides of the street to cheer on the athletes and eventual winners.

While Zabriskie went nearly unchallenged in clinching the yellow jersey as the general classification winner, several battles went on during Sunday’s race for the other jersey competitions. Hushovd held off threats from opponents to officially claim the green sprints jersey, the jersey he’s worn through the majority of the week’s races. Dario Cataldo of Team QuickStep put on his white best young-rider jersey for the final time in the post race ceremony, and Moises Aldape of Team Type One wrapped up his bid for the climbers jersey. Team Saxo Bank secured title as the top team in the tour.

Zabriskie’s overall winning time for the 2009 Tour of Missouri was 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 56 seconds over a total of 600 miles. 

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples

As the riders flew through the 110.3 mile course of Stage Six on Saturday afternoon at an average pace of 29.85 mph, it was Francesco Chicchi of Team Liquigas-Cannondale who was able to ride the lightning to the finish line and beat out “God of Thunder” Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo for the victory.

The vigorous finish was not enough to stir up the results of the Tour of Missouri general classification; Team Garmin-Slipstream’s David Zabriskie still holds a 30 second lead over the second place rider. Each of the other points competitions also retain the same leaders; Hushovd with the green sprints jersey, and Dario Cataldo of Team QuickStep in the white young-rider jersey.

Stage Four’s century-plus-ten mile route from Chillicothe, Mo. to St. Joseph, Mo. featured northern Missouri’s flat but wind prone region. The peloton stayed tight and teams tucked away their top riders early in the race. Contrary from other stages this week, it was Team Garmin-Slipstream that set the pace and controlled the moves of the main pack in effort to protect the lead tour leader Zabriskie.

The tour ends Sunday when the riders compete for victory in Stage Seven in Kansas City, Mo. Similar to Stage One in St. Louis, Stage Seven will be run as a circuit race throughout the streets of downtown Kansas City. Zabriskie will be looking to defend his yellow jersey, and to take his first ever multi-stage race victory. With a 30 second gap between the next closest podium spot, it would take an epic breakway performance by an opponent to take the lead from Zabriskie.

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples

Riders and spectators alike left Stage Four in the capitol city with suspense and anticipation of the following day’s race; the 19 mile individual time trial in Sedalia, Mo.

The fastest man of the day proved to be Team Garmin-Slipstream’s four-time U.S. Time Trial champion David Zabriskie, who spun his way through the 19 mile course in 36 minutes, 30.49 seconds in Stage Five of the Tour of Missouri. His next closest opponent, Gustav Larsson of Team Saxo Bank, finished a lengthy 30 seconds behind in second place. Rounding off the podium in third place was Tom Zirbel of Team Bissell Pro Cycling.

The time trial may have been the Tour’s moment of truth, no man can hide when riding alone – it’s rider vs. himself. The tour favorites and most notable names were anticipated to perform at a high level in this especially important stage, and the stage’s fastest man from point A to point B could potentially take center stage and all but secure the yellow jersey.

“Today is the day that all of the riders who think that they can win this race [Tour of Missouri] must come out of the shadows and prove they’re worthy of victory,” race commentator Paul Sherwen said prior to the beginning of the race.

With his commanding stage victory, Zabriskie becomes the new general classification leader, and will wear the golden fleece in Stage Six. ‘God of Thunder’ Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo kept his claim on the green sprints jersey, and Dario Cataldo of Team QuickStep will stay in the white young-rider jersey.

Stage Six is set to start at 1 p.m. on Sept. 12, and is a 110 mile road race venturing from Chillicothe, Mo. to St. Joseph, Mo. The race terrain is visibly flat up to the St. Joseph area, however the region is known for gusty wind bursts this time of the year. It will be a fight against both the peloton and Mother Nature for the competing teams. Team Saxo Bank is expected to race aggressively, as they currently have two riders seated within the top ten in overall standings, and as usual Team Columbia HTC is anticipated to make a bid with their top riders, including inaugural Tour of Missouri winner Geroge Hincapie. Team Saxo Bank is currently the overall top team after five stages. 

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples