Media Credentials
Approved members of the media can pick up their physical media credential/pass upon check in at the start line or in the Media Center prior to the race. The credential will allow access to designated media areas at each start and finish. You will be required to show a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, in order to sign for and claim your credential. Official credentials will be available to approved media (who have submitted the appropriate application in advance and received a confirmation by email) beginning Friday, September 4, at 1 PM in the Media Center in the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, 1 South Broadway, St. Louis, MO, 63102. The Media Center will be open approximately nine hours on most days of the race. Dates, times and locations are available on the Tour of Missouri web site.
Credential Levels
Due to the limited space along the course barriers as well as race protocol and the safety of the cyclists, not all credentials will provide access at the finish lines and certain athlete holding areas. Every effort is made to ensure all media receive necessary access to get photos and interviews. Please respect the instructions of Media Staff in enforcing access.
Credential Pick-Up Locations
Start Locations
There will be a member of the media team at all start locations at the Media Tent near the public address announcer’s stage to distribute credentials and photographer vests each day.
Finish Line
At the finish line, credentials and photographer vests can be picked up at the Media Center. Media Center locations and hours of operation are available on the Tour of Missouri web site. Please ask for William Younce for a daily photographer vest.
Road Access with Credential.
A credential DOES NOT guarantee complete access to the race course, as some areas are restricted to only those assigned a photographers vest (see below). A prime area behind the barriers will be cordoned off for all credentialed media at the start and finish lines. Credentialed media will be provided access to the competitor and team vehicle parking area before and after each stage. You will be required to show your media credential to receive access to these areas as well as the pre-race and stage finish press conferences.
Limits apply to the number of photographer vests issued daily. (See "Photography” below for additional information)
Press Tents at Finish Line
At each finish line, there will be a designed 10x20 media tent located next to (or nearby) the announcer’s stage that will include a television monitor that will display live race footage.
Media Centers
Located near the finish of each stage, a working press room is available for all credentialed media, complete with Internet connections – wireless, DSL high-speed and when possible analog lines. Services are provided on a first come, first served (shared) basis. A complete list of press rooms is available on the Tour of Missouri web site. It will also be provided upon credentials pick up. Media Centers are for the Tour of Missouri press team and accredited media only.
Press Conferences
A post-race press conference will be held following each day’s race. The press conference will be held immediately following the award ceremony, approx. 20 minutes after the stage ends. Press conference locations can be found on the Tour of Missouri web site. Press conferences typically feature the race leader, stage winner, news maker of the day and local and sponsor officials.
Official Spokespersons
The official spokesperson for the race is Chris Aronhalt – Medalist Sports (678.787.5878) and Steve Brunner – KOM Sports (719.322.7022) and Gary McElyea – State of Missouri (417.848.4878). Please see a member of the press team to coordinate an interview with any race official. The press team will also assist in arranging interviews with cyclists, if time permits; however, it is highly encouraged that media contact each team’s press officer prior to the race to schedule an onsite interview during race week. Most contact information for each team’s press officer is available on its website. The press operations staff can also direct you to the appropriate team contact. If a team contact is not available, a press staff member will be assigned to assist you. All sponsor-related questions will be handled through a representative of the appropriate sponsor.
Television Interviews: Due to time restraints, only the host broadcaster and a limited number of specifically designated television crews will have access to the stage winner and race leaders. All other interviews will take place at the press conference.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Suggested shots for broadcast media will be the official sign-in at start lines, the finish of each day’s race, post-race awards ceremonies and press conferences. Additionally, the Tour of Missouri press team suggests that one-on-one interviews be arranged with the race press team as early as possible and at a time other than at official press conferences due to time constraints and team/racer schedules. Team directors will be encouraged to consider the value of television interviews and build a schedule that can accommodate possible opportunities.
Route Access
You may wish to view the race from areas other than those provided to media at the start and finish zones. If you do chose to walk out along the route prior to the race’s arrival, please cross the route only at the designated cross walks so as to ensure your own safety and the safety of the riders. The cross walks will be controlled by designated course marshals or security officials, who will notify you when it is safe to cross the route. Please abide by the following safety guidelines:
• Park your vehicle well off the road if you choose to stop along the race route to watch or photograph the race action.
• Personal vehicles are not be permitted in the race caravan, so be sure to have an adequate map to help you get from place to place.
• Race logs are available online to help assist with route planning.
IMPORTANT NOTES, SAFETY FIRST: Please adhere to the instructions given by race officials, marshals and law enforcement agencies. They are here to ensure the route is secure and safe for everyone – riders, media, race staff and spectators alike. The Tour of Missouri will be run under “rolling road closures,” meaning the route will close prior to the race’s arrival and will re-open once the last race vehicle has passed. Please do not attempt to join or cross the caravan or more importantly leave before the last vehicle passes. Road closures along the route will be kept to a minimum, but long enough to ensure the security of fans and riders. Please DO NOT hinder rider advancement. Stay back, well off the field of play, so that the cyclists may pass unimpeded. Do not touch the riders.
Results
Provisional results will be posted each day in the Media Center as soon as possible after the finish of each stage. You may return to the media center or call the appropriate day’s Media Center number to find preliminary results if you are filing your stories at another location. Official results will be available in the Media Center as soon as possible. Results will be posted on the official website as soon as possible after each race.
Medical Inquiries
The medical staff working on the Tour of Missouri is not permitted to comment on the injuries or medical condition of any athlete or member of the race entourage. All medical inquiries should be handled through the press team.
Photography and Priority Vests
Only credentialed broadcast/photo media may have access to certain restricted media zones on or near the race course each day: sign in area at start line, finish line area, awards ceremony area and press conferences. To control entry to these areas and to more easily monitor throughout the race, media members entitled to access will be assigned a numbered photo bib. These assignments will be made in advance, with all requests taken into consideration. William Younce will coordinate all photography vest assignments during Race Week. Members of the media assigned vests who interfere with the race or fail to follow instructions will be removed from the area and be subject to losing race credentials. A form of identification, such as a valid driver’s license, will be exchanged for a vest upon pick up. No exceptions will be made, so please come prepared.
Photo Motorbikes
Motorbikes will be made available to select photographers driven by qualified drivers provided by race organizers. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR OWN HELMET. Photographers must request access to a motorbike upon application for credential. William Younce will coordinate any last minute and on-site assignments during Race Week. Please be aware, not all requests can be fulfilled. If assigned a photo motorbike, please make prior arrangements to accommodate personal vehicles and effects as these are one-way trips.
Caravan Travel
Media may ride along in the race caravan in designated media vehicles (2). Space is extremely limited. All requests for a seat in the media caravan will be considered. Please request access to a media vehicle upon application for credentials. Chris Gutowsky will coordinate assignments in advance of each day. Please be aware, not all requests can be fulfilled. If assigned a seat in the race caravan, please make prior arrangements to accommodate personal vehicles and effects as these are one-way trips. THIS IS FOR PRINT MEDIA ONLY….NO PHOTOGRAPHERS.