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Stage One of the Tour of Missouri launched September 11, at 1:00 p.m., under bright blue skies with cool temperatures and horns blarring over the cheering crowds along Ward Parkway at Country Club Plaza.
Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel team signed autographs prior to the start of Stage One in Kansas City.
Cycling fans, Tom Clayton and Dave Kearns took a day off from their jobs at Sprint just to come watch the race.
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Thousands of Cycling Fans Turn Out for Stage One of the Tour of Missouri in Kansas City
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com
KANSAS CITY, MO (SLFP.com), September 11, 2007 - The inaugural Tour of Missouri promised racing excitement with star power cyclists and challenging terrain. Leading up to the Stage One kickoff, Tuesday afternoon, September 11, in Kansas City, hundreds of volunteers and cycle enthusiasts spent nearly two years planning the premier professional cycling event.
The Tour of Missouri is a 562.2-mile, six-day world-class race patterned after the Tour de Georgia and Amgen Tour of California. It is a race that features point-to-point racing in six stages, starting in Kansas City and concluding September 16 in St. Louis with legs to Clinton, Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Columbia, Jefferson City, and St. Charles.
Thousands of cycling fans, families, businesspeople, and visitors gathered along Ward Parkway at Country Club Plaza to catch a glimpse of their favorite cyclist among the 120 riders representing 15 of the world's professional cycling teams. Led by newly-crowned U.S. Professional Champion Levi Leipheimer, 2006 Pro Champion George Hincapie, and the 2007 Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador, the Discovery Channel team is making its final appearance.
For many specators, the event was an opportunity to greet racers personally, obtain autographs and even have their pictures taken.
As the announcer called out team names, the crowd responded with loud cheers and clapping. The excitement grew as cyclists began their warm-up ride. Following opening remarks by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt introduced members of the armed services during a special pre-race ceremony. The crowd was asked to remain silent for one minute honoring the victims of "9/11".
Finally, the moment arrived as the cyclists their assigned positions and the countdown began. The 85-mile road race launched at 1:00 p.m. under bright blue skies with cool temperatures and horns blarring over the loud cheers. Photographers strained to catch the peloton behind the race marshalls on their motorcycles and the race judges.
The crowd remained in high spirits even as the racers disappeared around the corner and up the first steep hill of the course through downtown Kansas City out to Platte City and back for a complete circuit. Laughing and chatting, many headed over to the Health Expo to buy souvenirs, visit with cycle vendors and enjoy the comradery of fellow cycle enthusiasts until the race concluded at 4:30 p.m. at the Country Club Plaza.
"I'd come down any day of the week to see this," stated cycling fan, Dave Kearns, who took the day off from work at Sprint to come down for the race. "The crowds were much bigger than I anticipated. I didn't figure a first-time event in Missouri to be big on cycling. But that's changing," he said enthusiastically.
For Tour of Missouri organizers, Stage One was a moment to savor, with fan support far beyond expectations. The largest spectator sporting event in the history of Missouri is just the beginning of things to come as fans tour the state to watch professional cyclists and enjoy the scenic countryside, wineries, local restaurants and historic communities.
Stage One results: Ivan Dominguez of Toyota-United becomes Tour of Missouri's First Stage Winner. Also winning jerseys today were Gregorio Ladino (Tecos), Drury Hotels Most Aggressive Rider; James Meadley (Jelly Belly), Build-A-Bear Best Young Rider; Jeff Louder (Health Net/Maxxis), and Michelob ULTRA King of the Mountain Winner.
The Edward Jones Sprint competition was won by Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United), and since he will wear the Overall Leaders jersey for Stage Two, Zach Bell (Symmetrics) will wear the green jersey.
See review of Stage Five - St. Charles and Stage Six - St. Louis.
September 10, 2007 - Race favorites hold Tour of Missouri Sponsor jerseys following a pre-event press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel. (L - R) Jim Birrell, Race Director, Tour of Missouri; Nathan O'Neil of Health Net; Danny Pate of Slipstream; Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel; Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder; George Hincapie of Discovery Channel; Levi Leipheimer of Discovery Channel; and Ivan Dominguez of Toyota-United.
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