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.

Pure bicycling bliss. That was presented in this year’s tour. Everything you could possibly want out of a stage bike race, set in the rolling hills of Missouri.

It was visible in the downtown streets of both St. Louis, Mo. and Jefferson City, Mo. that the riders were motivated by the energy of the supportive fans that crowded the courses. Though the inspiration didn’t end there.

The fans, too, were striving off of the intensity of these bodily-ruthless professionals.  Both sides of the streets in each of the towns were packed several people deep along the final 500 meters of each finishing stretch. Goosebumps shot down up arms of the thousands of fans when the lead vehicles passed, giving warning that the peloton was near. As the colorful wave of riders sprinted its way down the street, countless names and cheers were chanted and yelled. Most in support of the riders, but also echoing were the direction and strategies from the Monday-morning-quarterbacks  (or should it be said ‘cyclists’) who felt the need take the team manager role. Some stood in tactical spots along the route so to scramble for a water bottle when thrown by a rider. Supporters of all ages watched in awe as they were passed by the massive group of over 100 bikes; they then stood through the swift breeze pushed off on the crowd as peloton sliced through the air.

It was a thing of beauty.

Considering my background as a cyclist, Lance Armstrong idolizer, faithful Livestrong supporter, and a sports writer, it’s no surprise that I quickly became an advocate of the Tour of Missouri. For a guy like me, convincing was hardly necessary; what’s not to like about an event that would bring in high level professionals to race upon the same roads which I train?  It was the other five million people of the state that needed to be persuaded to support this race that was funded by government dollars.

Some had their opinions, contrary to those of the cycling community. And that’s ok. In fact, it’s the common median we need to take this race to the next level. People would rather see their tax dollars spent on other expenditures, and that’s where the 2010 edition of the tour begins and ends. It’s also where sponsorship needs to step in. Sponsorship is going to be a vital part in keeping this great race alive. On both the local and national level, it’s necessary that businesses, especially those already associated with major league sports, chip in and help set the tone

Missourians should cherish the opportunity they have in front of them – a star-studded race that could grow deep with tradition over the blacktops of our state. Businesses need to unite and seize the marketing opportunity that lay on their doorstep; becoming a big time emblem for what has become and could continue to be a major international event.

I would love the opportunity to cover this impressive race again in 2010. I can only hope that my fellow Missourians and many race supporters embrace the chance to take the necessary steps and make the essential contributions needed to keep this race around.

Missouri has something special in the tour; as a state we need to unite as the peloton and chase down the problem-breakaways of dollars that may ruin this great race. If we can show Missouri that the state needs the Tour as much as the Tour needs it, triumph and victory will be at the hands of everyone in the race.

And the Tour of Missouri will continue to roll strong.

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples

Juan Jose Haedo celebrates moments after his stage four victory in the Tour of Missouri, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009. More photos here.

As the riders made their way up Capitol Hill and through the spectator-lined streets of scenic Jefferson City, Mo., it was all eyes on the road. They had no time to check out the alluring capital building and its surroundings as they traveled around the circuit.

After the race, however, was a different story. And he with the best view of the state capitol from the top of the podium was Juan Jose Haedo of Team Saxo Bank.

Haedo grabbed the victory in Stage Four of the Tour of Missouri after finishing the 109.2 mile route in four hours, seven minutes, and 55 seconds. He also grabbed the yellow leader jersey for the first time in his career.

"It was my first year ever to wear yellow jersey. I'll be processing it all night. Today I reached the right energy level at the right moment," said Haedo of the day’s race.

The trek from St. James, Mo. to Jefferson City, Mo. began with gentle rolling hills and long straights of farm land, but as the road hit the Ozark region for the second consecutive day the riders were once again challenged with frequent climbs and twisting down-hills. Those created a problem for the breakaway group, who took off early in the race. Although they rode by themselves for nearly 90 miles, the steep climbs near capitol city ended their bid for an upset victory. The peloton, directed today by Team Saxo Bank, gathered in the rebellious riders with fewer than five miles to go. From there it was tight riding through the finish.

Haedo was able to maneuver around a 20 man accident with two miles to go and out dueled green jersey sprinter Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo for the victory. In addition to laying claim on the golden fleece, Haedo also took possession of the green sprints jersey. Team Columbia HTC’s Mark Cavendish, previously the owner of the white jersey, gave up his after withdrawing from competition to nurse an injury. The new leader of the young rider competition is Dario Cataldo of Team Quick Step.

Stage Five of the tour is the much anticipated individual time trial in Sedalia, Mo. Race favorites, including Team Columbia HTC’s George Hincapie and Team Garmin’s David Zabriskie, are expected to post top times. Racing against the clock kicks off at 2 p.m. Friday over a flat 19 mile course.

By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples

Photos by Brent Davidson

<p><span style="font-size: 150%;">R</span>iders made their way through the Ozark portion of Missouri in Stage Three of the <a href="http://www.tourofmissouri.com">Tour of Missouri</a>, and although not nearly close enough to leap into the Lake of the Ozarks, Team Saxo Bank&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.teamhushovd.com">Thor Hushovd</a> did make his own splash, taking the victory over the 114 mile course regarded as the toughest in the tour. Hushovd finished in 4 hours, 26 minutes, 50.4 seconds.</p>
<p>Hushovd&rsquo;s stage win during the Stage Three race on Sept. 9 created a wave that had a ripple effect on the race standings. Hushovd leaped over Team Columbia HTC&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.markcavendish.com">Mark Cavendish</a>, who finished fith, in the overall standings for the yellow leader jersey. Although tied in overall time with Hushovd, Cavendish now leads only the top young rider points competition, and will sport his white young-rider jersey in Stage Four.</p>
<p>Hushovd was especially satisified with Wednesday&rsquo;s victory because he was finally able to edge out Cavendish, today after a chaotic sprint to the end. Cavendish was plagued with a flat tire early in the race and had to spend extra effort to again reach the peloton. Once he again joined the main group, he made his way to the front to ride with Team Columbia HTC, who again controlled the pace and positioning of the pack. Wednesday&rsquo;s race looked similar to Tuesday&rsquo;s stage, with several breakaways that were reeled back in, and a sprint finish once the group hit the final stretch in Rolla, Mo. Hushovd had just enough to outkick his rivals, and go from green jersey to yellow.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It's always good to be in yellow and first of all I'm more happy to win a stage because of course it's confusing to get beaten by Cavendish every time, so I'm really happy to win. For me it was a perfect final, and all my teammates on Cervelo Test Team, they did a really great job," said Hushovd.</p>
<p>Hushovd recognizes the challenge ahead of him in protecting the overall lead; with four stages yet to come in the tour, hundreds of miles have yet to be covered and scenarios are countless.</p>
<p>&ldquo;When we have yellow jersey we have more responsibility. Tomorrow we see what we can do; we do our best to keep this jersey for as long as possible,&rdquo; Hushovd added after rolling into victory and taking the podium.</p>
<p>It will take a maximum effort for Team Saxo Bank to keep their sprinter in the yellow jersey; lurking only 20 seconds behind in the overall classification are race favorites Levi Leipheimer of Team Astana, and David Zabriskie of Team Garmin-Slipstream. In Stage Four the athletes will race 109.2 miles from St. James, Mo. to the state capital of Jefferson City, Mo. The route again will present challenges as the roads wind through the Ozark region&rsquo;s countless hills.</p>
<p>By Tour of Missouri Correspondent Tyler Peeples</p>

Although known as a baseball city where the image of birds-on-a-bat and the color of Cardinal red bleeds throughout the streets on game day, St. Louis’ acclaimed ‘best fans in all of sports’ embraced a different pastime on Labor Day – professional cycling.

And the color was not limited to red. A broad spectrum lined the streets as people gathered to cheer on cycling’s best in the third annual Tour of Missouri on Sept. 7. But the colors that stood out above the rest were yellow, white, and green –  those of one man.

Team Columbia HTC’s Mark Cavendish zipped past opponents throughout the course’s various points stages and again down the homestretch of Market Street to take Stage One of the Tour, which was raced over a circuit course of ten laps through a 7.5 mile loop around downtown. With the win Cavendish acquired the yellow over-all leader jersey, the green sprint-leader jersey, and the white young-rider jersey.

Clearly dominant in Stage One, Cavendish remained humble, giving a large amount of credit to his teammates and their riding abilities for his victory.

“I can’t do it alone. I have the best team around me,” Cavendish said after the victory, which was won in two hours, 43 minutes, and 56 seconds.

High speeds and tight group riding bluntly sum up the circuit ride through St. Louis. Except for a three man breakaway after lap five, low profile racing strategies consumed a great portion of the race as teams remained conservative over the fast course throughout much of the afternoon. Speed picked up with two laps to go in the race, as riders and teams jockeyed for position, at times reaching over 30 mph. Columbia HTC commanded the peloton in the final laps, protecting their world-class talent and gearing him for a quick dual in the final meters of the race. That strategy paid off as Cavendish responded to the roar of the crowd when rounding onto Market Street and battled wheel-to-wheel with Juan Jose Haedo of Team Saxo Bank, and Thor Hushovd of Team Cervelo, finishing second and third, respectively.

While the finishing-kick sprinters near the front competed cleanly for a chance at victory, a crash claimed the efforts of a number of riders in the middle of the pack in the final 500m of the race. Although no serious injuries have yet to be reported, defending champion Christian Vande Velde of Team Garmin was involved in the accident and taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.

Stage Two of the Tour of Missouri kicks off at 2 p.m. Sept. 8 in a 112.4 mile road race from St. Genevieve, Mo to Cape Girardeau, Mo. The tour continues throughout the week, ending Sept. 13 in Kansas City, Mo. 

By Tyler Peeples

Froze Toes kicked of the 2009 road season last Sunday outside of Columbia on Hwy. Z. Somewhere around 300 riders from all over Missouri and several other states raced the 20th annual Froze Toes. The often frigid, even snowy course received sunshine and temperatures in the high 30's. In the pro/cat 1-2 race there was a seven man breakaway about two miles off the start, with David Henderson of Columbia holding on for the win by a margin of 13.5 seconds. Rounding out the top five are Zach Reed, Jeff Winkler, Nolan Froese, and Bill Marshall.