Tour of Missouri News & Info

Lt Gov Kinder speaks with one of about 3000 volunteers who assisted during Tour of Missouri 2008

Today Lt Gov Peter Kinder, who has been the driving force behind the Tour of Missouri for the past three years, announced the economic impact figures for the 2008 Tour.

In short:

• overall economic impact $30 million
• 434,000 spectators
• average out-of-state visitor spent $270/day
• 77% of out-of-state visitors at the Tour listed the Tour as their reason for visiting Missouri

That's a definite increase from the 2007 figures--not bad since weather threatened the course (and clearly discouraged even more spectators from coming out) nearly every day.

Here is Lt. Gov. Kinder's press release:

Lt. Governor Kinder Presents 2008 Tour of Missouri Economic Impact Study
Annual event breaks 2007 records, race to be upped in classification

ST. JOSEPH – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission, joined local organizing officials in St. Joseph today to present the key findings of the 2008 Tour of Missouri Economic Impact Study.

"The 2008 Tour of Missouri was a great success,” said Lt. Governor Kinder. “Despite challenging weather during many days of the competition, and a weakened national economy, we were once again able to present the largest sporting event ever held in the State of Missouri. With the help of our countless volunteers and wonderful host cities, I am proud to report that the 2008 Tour of Missouri trumped the outstanding economic impact of last year’s race.”

In 2007, there were nearly 368,000 spectators who watched the race. This year, there were an estimated 434,000 spectators who saw the Tour at some time during the seven stages. The total economic impact by spectators during the seven day race was $29.8 million up from $26.2 million in 2007.

“This year’s race brought nearly $30 million of economic impact to our state,” said Lt. Governor Kinder. “I am extremely pleased with the success of this year’s Tour. Though we faced very challenging weather conditions, with the remnants of Hurricane Ike passing through our state, our fan base was resilient and came out to see one of the most competitive professional cycling events ever to be held on American soil.”

During the course of the seven day event, the average out-of-state visitor spent over $270 per day during their visit. And in planning their trip, 77% of non-Missourians said the Tour of Missouri was reason they came to spend time in Missouri. A total of 72% of spectators rated the Tour of Missouri more highly than any other professional sporting event they had attended in the previous 12 months.

The Tour of Missouri also provides the state with a unique opportunity to showcase Missouri to a global audience via streaming video on the Internet.

In 2007, the Tour’s official website, www.tourofmissouri.com, received hits from visitors in 73 different countries. This year, that tally was nearly doubled with hits from139 countries around the globe. There were also over 1,000 photo and video uploads on the Tour social networking site, www.tourofmissourifanzone.com.

Following the success of this year’s race, the International Cycling Union, the sanctioning body for professional cycling, raised the ranking of the Tour of Missouri to a prestigious 2.HC ranking, making the event one of the top stage races for elite athletes around the world. This status also makes the Tour of Missouri one of only three 2.HC races in the Northern hemisphere and will help in making the race more appealing to cyclists, tourists and corporate sponsors.

The 2008 Tour of Missouri economic impact study was conducted by IFM Sports, an international leader in sports marketing and research. IFM is a global company based in Germany with their American hub based in St. Louis, MO.

IFM Sports has provided similar studies for groups such as; Major League Baseball (MLB), the International Cycling Union (UCI), the International Tennis Federation and the National Basketball Association (NBA), among many other professional sporting organizations.

Gov. Blunt and Lt. Governor Kinder led the efforts in bringing this professional sporting event to the State of Missouri. Their efforts began with the formation of a steering committee in 2005, and culminated with the inaugural Tour of Missouri professional cycling race in 2007 and the second annual race in 2008. Lt. Governor Kinder is dedicated to continuing this successful tourism event into the future.

Governor Blunt also put out a press release about the Tour's economic impact figures. permanent link to article: "Tour of Missouri 2008 economic impact announced"
posted by Brent Hugh at 8:53 PM |comment on this article

According to a KCStar article today by Rick Alm:

After just two years, the Tour of Missouri has been promoted to international cycling’s big leagues.

The Union Cycliste Internationale has announced that next year’s weeklong, 600-mile race across the Show Me State will be rated 2HC, “the highest ranking it can get in the U.S.,” said Andy Lee, a spokesman for the union’s American affiliate, USA Cycling.

The rating means the race will award premium international competition points to winners, which Lee said should attract more attention from fans, the international media and top international competitors. The field could even include cycling superstar Lance Armstrong, who by the race’s start on Sept. 7 next year may have added an unprecedented eighth Tour de France winner’s jersey to his collection.

This is big, and very good, news for the Tour.

The 2.HC rating will help in every way--from reaching more sponsors to finding more fans and attracting even stronger riders and teams. permanent link to article: "Tour of MO receives highest rating--2.HC"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:29 PM |comment on this article

In recent debates among candidates for Lieutenant Governor in Missouri (between incumbent Peter Kinder, who has championed the Tour of Missouri for the past three years and touts it as one of the main successes of his term in the Lieutenant Governor's role as leader of the state division of tourism, challenger Sam Page, and two minor party challengers), the Tour of Missouri has been an issue.

Missouri Digital News sums up one of those debates this way:

"As chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission, what would you do as lieutenant governor to bring dollars and tourism dollars to the state?"

Sam Page answered first. He said that tourism, as an "economic engine" second only to agriculture in the state, "The tourism commission is one of the most important jobs the lieutenant governor has." He said he was looking forward to seeing the economic effects of last week's Tour of Missouri, a seven-day cycling event from St. Joseph to St. Louis that featured approximately 120 riders and thousands of onlookers. Page said, "I've heard some criticisms from conservative groups that in a down economy, this is not the best use of job-creation money, but I'll have to wait and learn more about this."

Current Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder began by saying that under his watch the Missouri tourism industry has flourished to the largest budget ever in the state â014 more than $20 million in 2007. The Republican, who has been a vocal advocate for the Tour of Missouri while in office, said the event has been "enourmously positive departure in the tourism-hospitality industry." He added that with around 368,000 spectators it is the "largest sporting event ever held in our state."

"We have live, streaming video on the World Wide Web, and we've have hits from 100 countries around the world, the first four days of this race this week alone," Kinder said. "That means a worldwide audience is learning about Missouri's brand, and we're rebranding ourselves to a worldwide audience in Sweden, in China, in France, who may never have heard of Missouri â014 or maybe they've only heard of Mark Twain and the Mississippi River. Now they're seeing our beautiful Ozark highways and byways, our small towns, and we're uniting our small towns and two big cities in a world-class sporting event."

permanent link to article: "Tour of Missouri an issue in MO's Lt Governor debates"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:20 PM |comment on this article

KCStar columnist (and avid bicyclist) Mike Hendricks takes on the Tour of Missouri:

Still, I wouldn’t have missed this year’s race, if only to show my support for Kansas City continuing to be host of an event that brings us international attention.

Likely, some around town were unhappy to find some streets closed. Likewise, a few critics denounce the Tour of Missouri as a boondoggle.

But I happen to think it’s one of the few things Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration actually got right in the past four years.

“Kansas City, do you love the Tour of Missouri or what?” Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder bellowed from a stage near Monday’s finish line.

The cheers that rang out echo favorable reports from spectators and tourism officials alike for Blunt’s idea to put on a “French-style bike race” in Missouri.

“French-style bike race.” That’s the smart-alecky way to which the tour is referred on the Democratic Web site Fired Up! Missouri.

It’s a dig at Blunt’s fellow Republicans for turning into Francophobes when France refused to back the Iraq war.

And it skewers the Boy Governor for subsidizing what some see as something totally frivolous.

Or, as Fired Up! Missouri’s opposites at the conservative Show Me Institute once put it: “… every dollar taken from taxpayers to spend on a bicycle race is a dollar that can’t go toward filling up a gas tank, buying groceries, taking a child to piano lessons or, say, buying a bicycle.”

Forgive me, but isn’t one job of state government to promote tourism? And isn’t that what Blunt and Kinder have done for two years (a third year is under contract) by sponsoring a weeklong bike race featuring some of the world’s best cyclists?

It sure beats some lame ad campaign. Twelve cities and towns get international exposure by playing host to either a start or a finish line during the week.

Whether that was worth the $1.7 million it cost taxpayers last year (and whatever this year’s bill turns out to be) is clearly debatable.

On Monday in KC, Kinder cited a University of Missouri study showing that last year’s Tour of Missouri returned $26.2 million on the state’s investment.

permanent link to article: "Tour of MO "one of the few things Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration actually got right"?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11:04 PM |comment on this article

Brad Huff--hailing from Fair Grove, one of the few native Missouri riders in the Tour of Missouri this year--gave his impression of the 2008 Tour on his new blog:

I am so glad to have made it through this years Tour of Missouri with much better results and performances than last year. I do not know if you all realize, but this was WAY harder than last years tour as we had to heavy hitting teams going after the big overall victory. Several days in a row the pace was well above normal, even to the fact that one of the heavy hitting Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas came up to me and stated “in America…50% Hematocrit….NO!…..60%!!!!!!….this is crazy!” yes, yes it was Roman! It was great to have such a powerful group this year and for me not to get totally shit canned! I am in such a better place both mentally and physically than previous and it showed.

permanent link to article: "Brad Huff on the Tour of MO"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2:31 PM |comment on this article

Despite tropical storm Ike hitting St. Louis Sunday morning, by noon the weather had cleared up, the start line was in place, and the race went off at 2:00 PM as scheduled.

The race was held a course slightly shortened because of fallen trees across the portion of the planned course through Forest Park. Of course, that set off a chain reaction of re-configuring the course and then re-assigning volunteer course marshals along the altered route. The good news is that even with the weather, many basements flooded, power outages, roads flooded and trees down across the metro area, over 320 of the 350 scheduled volunteers were able to make it for the race.

The start line and hospitality crews ran into serious problems with strong winds and rain--the large hospitality/VIP tent was reported to be bucking like a bronco in the wind, raising in waves of up to four feet high, despite the large concrete blocks used to weigh down the legs.

Once the the rain stopped about noon, however, it was quite a beautiful afternoon and a fine conclusion to the 2008 Tour.

A two-man breakaway kept away for a while but in the end the field came together and the sprint was won by Francesco Chicchi, followed by Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, Ivan Dominguez, and Brad Huff.

Photos from Stage 7 are here; view the photos as a slideshow here. (Photo upload is not complete--check back in a day or so for the rest.)

Selected photos below:

permanent link to article: "Tour of MO Final Stage--St. Louis photos"
posted by Brent Hugh at 4:22 PM |comment on this article

Despite a hurricane striking St. Louis early this morning (well, not not a hurricane literally--it's just a tropical depression now), leading to lots of troubles for the start line crew (equipment blowing away, etc.), the Tour of Missouri in St. Louis Sunday at 2PM is a GO!

They will use a shortened course that will avoid some potentially problem areas and flooding.

The main portion of the course that will be eliminated (based on my incomplete information I have right now) will be the portion through Forest Park. So you may want to pick out a different spot to watch the race.

Hope to see you at the race today, starting near 12th & Market, downtown St. Louis.

Though it is raining and flooding in places now (10AM), by race time the weather should be quite beautiful.

So please do come on down & enjoy the race!

Last-minute Volunteers Needed
Lots of Tour of MO volunteers can't make it because of problems in their neighborhood or flooding etc, so if you could possibly come down & help with course marshaling, we could really use the help.

Best way to volunteer would be to check in at the Cabanne House, 5300 Lindell at Union St. Louis, Missouri 63112. Go inside the house for volunteer check in.

Or come down to the volunteer check in near the start/finish line inside
city hall, Market & Tucker (12th Street). Come in the Market St or
Tucker entrance.

Either way, come down & enjoy the race--it is ON for today!

And please spread the word--if you belong to any email listservs, etc. permanent link to article: "Tour of MO in STL is GO Sunday, Sept 14, 2PM!"
posted by Brent Hugh at 10:12 AM |comment on this article

UPDATE: RACE IS ***GO*** FOR 2PM TODAY. PLEASE COME AND WATCH!!!!!!

AND LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW--THE RACE IS ON!

Time: 9:37AM.

An announcement will be made at 11:ooAM if there will be a final stage in St. Louis. Brent Hugh, executive director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation told me in a phone call just minutes ago that trees are down and winds are blowing at such speeds at the finish line in St. Louis that truss structures of the stage are blowing down as they are assembled. Medalist Sports will announce this morning at 11AM if the final stage of the Tour of Missouri will be completed in St. Louis.

All Volunters are asked to check in their appointed times. By 2PM the center of the huricane should be East of Illinoiss heading into Ohio. permanent link to article: "Update--Race is a GO (Hurricane Winds Reach St. Louis and Threaten the Tour of Missouri's Finish)"
posted by W Revels at 9:33 AM |comment on this article

Corporate Sponsors contribute revenue required that bring an epic event such as a seven stage professional bicycle race to Missouri. But without the literally hundreds of volunteers required from each city where there is a start or finish the Tour of Missouri would still not happen.

As I traveled throughout the state following ToM this year, there were three elements that stand forward making this marvolus event a success. First of course there is Medalist Sports which provides the glue that binds all other elements together. How do they do it? Just spend a few days around Kelly Green, VP of event management, Chris Aronhalt or Jim Birell, Managing partners of Medalist Sports, and you will see! Question. How many knots are required to make a fine swedish doilie? You know, the ones like grandma used to make? Thousands? Well, logistics alone requires more decisions than knots in your grandmas favorite doilie treasure.

Then there are hundreds of contracted crews that move equipment from one location to the next. Its completely amazing to watch as crews roll into the finish location and setup with truck loads of equipment the night before then teardown after the finish and roll onto the next location. And as one group is setting up another group is tearing down leapfrogging across the state from start to finish!

In the end, its the volunteer that stands out most visible and in the greatest numbers. Most recognized wearing the prized volunteer T Shirt. And in many cases the T Shirt is the only actual payment in return for the service. The T Shirt is important! The Tour of Missouri may be an epic event possibly ecliped only by the missouri state fair. But I'm not sure there are more volunteers. permanent link to article: "Volunteers Create the Final Link that makes the Tour of Missouri A Great Success"
posted by W Revels at 8:04 AM |comment on this article

The 2008 Tour of Missouri volunteers--almost 3000 of them this year--have done a tremendous job in making the Tour a success.

Photos of Tour of Missouri volunteers:

• Volunteer photos on TourOfMissouriFanZone.com
  
• All Tour of MO 2008 volunteer photos on FlickR
  
• All of MoBikeFed team's photos of the tour--nearly half of them of Tour volunteers
  
• MoBikeFed's coverage of the 2008 Tour

permanent link to article: "Volunteer photos from Tour of Missouri 2008"
posted by Brent Hugh at 5:01 AM |comment on this article

As in the 2007 Tour of Missouri, a huge crowd was in place for the finish of this stage. Unlike 2007, the breakaway did not succeed--the peloton came back together a few miles before the end and the result was a tremendously fast sprint finish.

For the third time this tour, Mark Cavendish of Team Columbia won the sprint. That puts him in the sprint jersey, while Christian Vande Velde remains in yellow.

Reports were that a large crowd was again on the King of the Mountains hill near Defiance.

Threatened rain never appeared, but there was a fairly strong headwind for the riders in the last stretch, which was one factor helping keeping the peloton together.

As usual, the Local Organizing Committee and area volunteers (who number almost 3000 in total statewide now) did a great job in putting the finish line and associated festival together.

After the race, Governor Matt Blunt and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder addressed the crowd. With crowds so far showing as larger than last year and regional, national, and international media coverage way up (maybe as much as 10X higher in local & regional coverage, from my own observation), Kinder made the point that the Tour is a clear win for the state and the Tour's sponsors, as a tourism and marketing tool.

(Kinder has recently been debating his opponent in the race for Lieutenant Governor, and topics have included the Tour of Missouri. Kinder's opponent, Sam Page, has said that the Tour is a poor use of taxpayer money while Kinder maintains that spending $1-2 million to receive an economic benefit of over $26 million is sound business, and the state's portion of the race is startup funding that will almost certainly be able to be reduced in future years--resulting in an even greater return on investment for the contribution of the Division of Tourism and other state agencies to the event.)

Complete photos from the Stage 6 finish in St Charles are here, and you can view them as a slideshow here. Photo highlights below:

permanent link to article: "Cavendish wins his 3rd Tour of Missouri stage in St. Charles"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3:47 AM |comment on this article

Stage 6 of the Tour of Missouri got off to a fine start this morning in Hermann. Townspeople had fixed up the parade route through town with flags, balloons, and signs.

Hermann has a population of just under 3000, and I'm guessing at least that many were in attendance for the start line and festival.

The volunteers, as usual, did a great job--and officials in the Local Organizing Committee made it clear they are anxious to have the Tour back in Hermann in future years.

A unique feature in Hermann was the presentation of a group of bicyclists who had committed to "Ride Like A Pro" by riding a certain number of miles this summer. The group logged an aggregate of well over 20,000 miles.

The parade loop through town had some neat features, taking the riders up some very steep, if short, hills, past the Stoney Hill Winery, and through a good part of town before circling back to pass by the start line again.

Complete Stage 6 start line photos can be found here, or as a slide show here. Selected photos below:

permanent link to article: "ToM 2008 Stage 6: Hermann"
posted by Brent Hugh at 10:12 PM |comment on this article