Nebraska Cycling News

Missouri's Hilly Terrain and Uphill Time Trial Surprise Elite Athletes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  The inaugural Tour of Missouri, a six-day, 600-mile pro cycling race around the Show Me State, launched today with a press conference highlighting a surprisingly hilly course and this year’s Tour de France winner and third place finisher.

“I am proud to be part of the biggest sporting event in the state of Missouri,” said Peter Kinder, Lt. Governor of Missouri, who expressed thanks to the Local Organizing Committees around the state who have spearheaded community events and festivals surrounding the week-long event. “We hope to bring millions of dollars in economic benefits to the state.”
 
Many of the racers at the press conference expressed surprise at the course's continuously rolling hills, the probability of headwinds and the elevation gains on the time trial course.  
 
“I think Thursday’s [time trial] stage surprised me quite a bit considering the length of the stage and the profile,” said eight-time Australian Time Trial Champion Nathan O’Neill.  “It took me six-and-a-half hours and it was a headwind most of the way. It wasn’t fun.”
 
“It’s hard to control a race like this,” added George Hincapie, 2006 US National Champion and veteran of 11 years with Team Discovery Channel, including the team’s eight wins at the Tour de France.  “There’s no major climbs and it’s pretty windy here. So it’s probably going to be one of those races where you can’t relax much. You have to stay focused on what’s going on.”
 
Discovery Channel Team Director Johan Bruyneel was a major proponent of the team’s participation at the Tour of Missouri.  “I thought it was our obligation for American cycling to bring the best team because this is our last race on American grounds. Of course, we are always super motivated, we have a great history in the Tour of California and the Tour of Georgia. I know it’s late in the season and our guys are tired, but they’re also super motivated.”
 
Perhaps the most motivated is Levi Leipheimer, who will wear the US National Champion’s Stars and Stripes jersey for the first time and hopes to continue his success in Missouri. “The Tour de France was a lifelong dream to stand on the podium. To win the U.S. Championship is a big honor. I look forward to wearing the jersey.”
 
For more information about the Tour of Missouri, see http://www.tourofmissouri.com