Third annual race proves to be most successful

BRANSON – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission and Tour of Missouri, Inc., presented economic impact results from the 2009 Tour of Missouri during a meeting of the Missouri Tourism Commission today in Branson.

"The 2009 Tour of Missouri was met with tremendous support all across our state and I am proud to report that the numbers prove the same," said Lt. Governor Kinder. “Over 4,000 volunteers worked tirelessly to showcase Missouri across the globe as a world-class tourist destination.  We were blessed with great weather through the entire week and, even though we visited smaller towns on this year's revised route, spectators from all across the world helped us surpass last year's success to once again make the Tour of Missouri the largest sporting event ever held in our state."

Throughout the week, 500,000 spectators were estimated to have watched the race at one of the 11 host cities or somewhere along the 600 mile route which passed through many communities in Missouri.  In 2008, an estimated 434,000 spectators saw the Tour at some time during the seven stages.  In 2007, there were nearly 368,000 spectators who watched the race. 

The total economic impact by spectators during the seven-day event was $38.1 million, that's up from $29.8 million in 2008 and $26.2 million in 2007.

“This year's race was a huge success thanks to the tremendous efforts of each of our host cities, corporate sponsors, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Transportation and spectators from across the world," Lt. Governor Kinder said.  “I am very pleased that for the state's investment of $1.5 million in the Tour of Missouri, we were able to return over $38 million to communities in our state."

During the course of the seven day event, the average out-of-state visitor spent over $220 per day during their visit. In planning their trip, 83% of non-Missourians said the Tour of Missouri was the reason they came to spend time in Missouri.  The average out-of-state visitor spent more than four days in the Show-Me State.

The Tour of Missouri also showcases Missouri to a global audience via live coverage on the Internet and on television.

This year, the Tour's official website, www.tourofmissouri.com, received hits from visitors in 153 countries and territories. An estimated audience of 5.6 million people watched nightly highlight shows on the Versus television network and an estimated 1.4 million people watched highlight shows on Fox Sports Midwest and Fox Sports Kansas City.

Following the 2008 Tour of Missouri, 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 five races outside of Europe.  The increased international appeal helped attract seven pro tour teams who competed just weeks before in the Tour de France.

The 2009 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 American operations based in St. Louis, MO.

IFM Sports conducted the economic impact study for the 2008 Tour of Missouri.  They have also provided similar reports 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.

At today's Missouri Tourism Commission meeting in Branson, Lt. Governor Kinder pledged his support for a 2010 race and urged fellow commissioners to also support bringing the event back for a fourth year.

Overall Tour Title Stays With Garmin-Slipstream

View Video Of Finish

2009 Champion Dave Zabriskie with 2008 Champion Christian Vande Velde and Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder

Photo by John Pierce - Photosport International

KANSAS CITY, MO − (September 13, 2009) – It was more than just an advancing cold front that raced into the Midwest today, as Canadian Martin Gilbert (Planet Energy) sprinted to the line in front of countryman Andrew Pinfold (OUCH p/b Maxxis) for victory in Stage 7, presented by Cerner. Norway’s Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) finished third, his sixth trip to the podium in seven days at this week’s Tour of Missouri. The winning time of Stage 7 was 2 hours, 33 minutes, 11 seconds.

In a city referred to as the "Paris of the Plains", the American-based Garmin-Slipstream came away with the overall prize at the champagne stage of the 2009 Tour of Missouri, with their American time trial specialist Dave Zabriskie retaining the Missouri Tourism Race Leader’s Jersey.

"My guys, they’re gonna get some big hugs from me tonight. I really appreciate what they did for me. The last two days…that’s why they call it a team sport." - 2009 Tour of Missouri Champion, Dave Zabriskie"My guys, they’re gonna get some big hugs from me tonight. I really appreciate what they did for me. The last two days…that’s why they call it a team sport," added Zabriskie, who adorned the Missouri Tourism Leader’s jersey on Friday after winning the individual time trial in Sedalia.

In the 2009 general classification, Sweden’s Gustav Larsson (Saxo Bank) finished second overall, 30 seconds behind Zabriskie. The third overall spot was taken in the final stage by Marco Pinotti (Columbia-HTC), finishing 41 seconds back. With points taken at the Edward Jones Sprint line today, Pinotti gained the extra two seconds he needed to overtake third place from American Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling), who finished fourth and one second behind the Italian.

Of the 112 competitors who started Stage 7, presented by Cerner, 95 finished and completed another high-tempo day with an average speed of 28 miles per hour (45 km.h).

"I think, all week we had few opportunities for the sprint, we always finished close to the podium. Today we took it a different way, really, by the back (we) used the momentum of the hill (to the finish), no mistakes today. We put it together," said Gilbert, a Quebec native who won the 2007 USPro Criterium Championship. His Planet Energy Canadian team accepted the 15th and final spot into this year’s Tour of Missouri just one month ago. "It’s really nice of the team to be invited to as big a race as here, a first year team. For sure, I think the team got in this race by the back door, kind of. We weren’t supposed to be here at the beginning. We are really happy with the sprint today."

The grand finale of the 2009 Tour of Missouri, Stage 7, presented by Cerner, started at 2:00 p.m. under overcast, breezy weather conditions with thousands of enthusiastic fans lining almost every mile of the 10.2-mile (16.4km) circuit course in Kansas City. The peloton made seven laps for a total of 71.4 miles (114.9 km) on this new finishing course, based in the Crown Center area of Kansas City. Race fans congregated near Union Station at the start/finish, in the revitalized K.C. Power & Light District at the Edward Jones Sprint Line, and at the two Michelob Ultra KOMs. The first KOM on Kessler Road was marked by The Liberty Memorial, which houses the National World War I Museum, and the other at Summit Street provided a panoramic view of downtown Kansas City.

Three riders made the first successful break of the day 15 miles into the race, Danish rider Nicki Sorensen (Saxo Bank), American Christopher Jones (Team Type 1), and Swiss rider Gregory Rast (Astana). On the fourth lap in K.C., Iowa-native Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank) and Danish teammate Chris Anker Sorensen bridged the gap from the peloton to help their teammate. A sixth rider joined the break on Lap 5, Canadian Michael Barry (Columbia-HTC), who was awarded the Drury Hotels Most Aggressive Rider jersey. This group built a lead of 45 seconds, but was caught on the final circuit. From there, Garmin-Slipstream and Cervelo Test Team had to reel in a solo break by Aussie Michael Rogers (Columbia-HTC) and this set up a bunch sprint for the final stage.

"We were able to hit new cities, go to new parts of the state this year. And now that many more people know that professional cycling is exciting, and what a great opportunity it is to showcase our state. Work begins in the morning to bring back the 2010 Tour of Missouri," stated Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. "Today was just an absolute blowout crowd."

In the final award jersey presentations for the week, Hushovd won the Edward Jones Sprint jersey, Dario Cataldo (QuickStep) of Italy won the 180 Energy/ Icelandic Glacial Water Best Young Rider jersey, and Moises Aldape (Team Type I) of Mexico won the Michelob Ultra KOM jersey. Team Saxo Bank was recognized as the Best Team. The 2008 Tour of Missouri champion Christian Vande Velde had to withdraw from the race on Stage 2 because of a broken bone in his right hand, suffered in a Stage 1 crash.

"I’m very proud of Dave (Zabriskie) and the team for what they accomplished this week – the Tour of Missouri looked very hard again this year. It was important for me to come back and watch with the guys," said Vande Velde, who returned to the Tour Sunday to support his team. "The crowds and the support were amazing. It was great to watch the team win from the other side of the fence."

For the first time since its inaugural year in 2007, the 2009 Tour of Missouri moved across the state from east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. This year’s Tour included two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph). The overall mileage for the course was 612 miles.