27 replies to this topic

[billh]

http://velonews.com/...nces-2009-dates

Tour of Missouri announces 2009 dates

By VeloNews.com
Posted Dec. 9, 2008
The Tour of Missouri, which enters its third year in 2009, on Tuesday formally announced its dates as September 7th to 13th, next year. The race organizers also announced that the race will be a UCI Category 2 Hors Category event next year.

Missouri and the Amgen Tour of California are now the only Cat. 2HC events in the U.S.

“The success of the first two years is really astounding,” said Missouri’s Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, in a statement. Kinder also serves as chairman of Tour of Missouri, Inc., the event’s rights holder.

“Due to its overwhelming success, the international governing body as well as USA Cycling have recognized all the good work done by host communities, state tourism, race organizers, and, of course, our sponsors. This marks a great step for the event and bodes well for the people supporting this great race,” Kinder said.

[JC McB]

A big thank-you to the opganizers.
That's a very busy week, with biking-bookends of Gateway Cup/Labor Day and MS Ride@Columbia.

Is it finally time to go East to West?
Maybe go to Downtown-Soulard vs. Forest Park due to the I-64 close?

What about Crown Candy and new demographics?
I am sure that St. Louis will bring out the welcome mat (and cowbells) for any Option.

[cleeland]

JC McB, on Dec 12 2008, 10:04 AM, said:

I am sure that St. Louis will bring out the welcome mat (and cowbells) for any Option.

I will be perfectly blunt and say that, having worked as a traveling course marshal the last two years for ToM, St. Louis' response and welcome mat is the most *underwhelming* of all the cities/towns through which the race passes.  It's actually somewhat embarrassing.  And, when I talk about response, I mean from the spectators all the way up to the town administration, local constabulary, etc.

So far, it's a 3-way tie for Lebanon, St. James, and Rolla; I didn't get to hand around in Hermann for the start this year enough to see how the community and the town administration supported it.  But, if response at MO CX was any indication, I'd expect it to at least be on par with the others I cited.

[dpamac]

cleeland, on Dec 12 2008, 02:13 PM, said:

JC McB, on Dec 12 2008, 10:04 AM, said:

I am sure that St. Louis will bring out the welcome mat (and cowbells) for any Option.

I will be perfectly blunt and say that, having worked as a traveling course marshal the last two years for ToM, St. Louis' response and welcome mat is the most *underwhelming* of all the cities/towns through which the race passes.  It's actually somewhat embarrassing.  And, when I talk about response, I mean from the spectators all the way up to the town administration, local constabulary, etc.

So far, it's a 3-way tie for Lebanon, St. James, and Rolla; I didn't get to hand around in Hermann for the start this year enough to see how the community and the town administration supported it.  But, if response at MO CX was any indication, I'd expect it to at least be on par with the others I cited.

I have to agree with you on your assessment.  I was at all of those stages and chased across the course during the day and Sunday's stage was sad for a finale.  

As much as I loved Lebanon the past two years I'd say my favorite for 08 was St. James.  That town really had fun with the whole thing.  St. Louis was very underwhelming.

[Slingen]

dpamac, on Dec 12 2008, 03:40 PM, said:

cleeland, on Dec 12 2008, 02:13 PM, said:

JC McB, on Dec 12 2008, 10:04 AM, said:

I am sure that St. Louis will bring out the welcome mat (and cowbells) for any Option.

I will be perfectly blunt and say that, having worked as a traveling course marshal the last two years for ToM, St. Louis' response and welcome mat is the most *underwhelming* of all the cities/towns through which the race passes.  It's actually somewhat embarrassing.  And, when I talk about response, I mean from the spectators all the way up to the town administration, local constabulary, etc.

So far, it's a 3-way tie for Lebanon, St. James, and Rolla; I didn't get to hand around in Hermann for the start this year enough to see how the community and the town administration supported it.  But, if response at MO CX was any indication, I'd expect it to at least be on par with the others I cited.

I have to agree with you on your assessment.  I was at all of those stages and chased across the course during the day and Sunday's stage was sad for a finale.  

As much as I loved Lebanon the past two years I'd say my favorite for 08 was St. James.  That town really had fun with the whole thing.  St. Louis was very underwhelming.

I agree on the St. Louis assessment. I went to visit a friend in the Press area where you needed a press pass to get in...and there were two people there...I do not remember seeing any local television crews but I may have just not seen them....but I do remember thinking how little press I saw at the event besides some photographers mostly amateur....or pros with very little equipment.

Question: Is there still a chance that this could be cancelled for next year?....

[Slingen]

Well...KMOX was stating that ToM was in contract negotiations with Lance....if he did, could you imagine the crowds then?...and just the mere
mention of Lance gets Network coverage...come on Lance...

[cleeland]

I actually hope not.  To do so distracts from the 100+ other riders slogging it out.

ToM has been such a wonderfully laid-back event the last two years with riders approachable in ways I've never experienced.  Throwing Lance into the fray would create a circus atmosphere that would cut into one of the aspects of the race that makes it so wonderful to me.

And, of course, the most important thing is whether or not *I* think it's a good thing, and I'm sure Medalist/ToM have already set up monitors on all my email and posts to insure that they accede to my wishes

[sam-peloton]

I agree, lance could do some great things for the event.  But at the same time take away from the event, and other riders and their time to bask in their glory for a race or two.  I like the ability just to say hi to the riders and talk a little, the casual feel of the event.  Getting people like lance might formalize the event to much, but at the same time maybe that is the way it will go in time anyway, as it will probably become more and more of a business venture as the years go on.  And will probably need to in time to secure its future.  Who knows, either way I will have a good time
sam
peloton cyclery

[khan]

Remember the storms we had in St.Louis the morning of the race this year. I had to deal with flooding (instead of marshaling the race) as did quite a few people who were expecting to go see the race. I think St.Louis had a decent showing the inaugural year of the race. Next year, barring similar events, you'll see a better representation of what the St.Louis response will be.

In the long run, having Lance Armstrong would go a long way in being able to secure another, maybe, three year commitment for the race. You're right though, in the short term, it would make the event much more a circus than it is now and team access, at least with Astana, would become really limited. If the race quality were to stay the same, the increased coverage and exposure of the race would be a good thing for the long term. It seems the race has really good word of mouth with the teams, this could launch it to the next level and make Missouri a state to keep in mind when bigger things come the way of our shores.

[klages]

khan, on Dec 21 2008, 10:31 PM, said:

I think St.Louis had a decent showing the inaugural year of the race. Next year, barring similar events, you'll see a better representation of what the St.Louis response will be.

Assuming STL will be the finishing city.

Quote

In the long run, having Lance Armstrong would go a long way in being able to secure another, maybe, three year commitment for the race. You're right though, in the short term, it would make the event much more a circus than it is now and team access, at least with Astana, would become really limited. If the race quality were to stay the same, the increased coverage and exposure of the race would be a good thing for the long term. It seems the race has really good word of mouth with the teams, this could launch it to the next level and make Missouri a state to keep in mind when bigger things come the way of our shores.

On the other hand, GA rocketed in popularity when Armstrong showed up and then seemed to suffer a hangover and dwindled noticeably after he stopped attending.  There are positives and negatives to his attendance.

[cleeland]

khan, on Dec 21 2008, 10:31 PM, said:

Remember the storms we had in St.Louis the morning of the race this year. I had to deal with flooding (instead of marshaling the race) as did quite a few people who were expecting to go see the race. I think St.Louis had a decent showing the inaugural year of the race. Next year, barring similar events, you'll see a better representation of what the St.Louis response will be.

It's not the fans.  In KC with a circuit you see the same sort of crowd.  It's a circuit, so you're not going to get the same concentration of fans that you get when the race moves through a town in a short section.

The difference is in the attitude of Those In Charge.  In St. Louis, I had several cops cursing about how stupid it was to have to deal with this race and why they couldn't put it on path in Forest Park or Riverfront Trail or somesuch.  No big ad campaign or anything promoting the race; and almost indifference from the city gov't.  How about the fact that, literally 2-3 days before the race was supposed to go through Forest Park, the bozos in there decided to rip up all of the cobblestone blocks on top of Art Hill and leave a 1' deep trench on the side with only snow fence keeping people from dropping down into it?  None of this is at the whim of the weather.

Granted, there are stupid things that happen all along the course, and getting through the outskirts of St. Charles was just about as challenging in terms of uninterested parties animosity towards the race.  But, I'm lumping that (since it's an exurb) into "St. Louis", too.  It's not just the last day and the circuit race in STL I'm talking about.

[DanSchmatz]

If you want the race to return in 2010 cross your fingers that Lance comes. It will give the promotion company an amazing product to sell. It will then be up to everyone involved to keep it going after. The casual and hard-core fan will benefit as well since LA will be forced with the brunt of the major spotlight leaving the other riders with more time on their hands.

[JC McB]

The first year there was Mayor Slay, Mayor York, Dan Schmatz and the Lt. Governor for the kick-off press coverage.

After waiting ten days - Don't know what all the complaining is about - City government?  City citizens?  Too many crowds in the big city?  Bad weather?  Not enough adulation?  All looking out for their own interests?  Too many other activities in the city?  Too much (carmegatton) car traffic?

St. Louis is one of the host cities for 2009.  How can we (WE'all) help?  
Just the last day circuit took many volunteers just to put up "No Parking" signs.  Then the fencing, stands, TV jumbotron, cameras, big party tent, etc.

The race is a long way off.  Since we are in a "top-50" city, I assume that there will be many coordination meetings.  Volunteer early!

HELP - Is there any "activity" that the local TV stations would want to show?  Getting ready, team morning briefing, loading the team pace car, loading the wheel car??  (Think like an average viewer, not a 45-year-old CAT3.)

If the city can't fix the schools and has difficulty identifying the "one in charge" of the Police, why do you think cycling is easy?

Last year:
Do you think that the city planned to dig up the Art Museum?  (Do you think anyone can tell the Art Museum what to do?)
Do you think the city planned to have a water main break in Forest Park?
Do you think a traffic Policeman wants to block traffic - for any reason?

Big Announcement Soon

[cleeland]

Joe, I don't know who tells the Art Museum what to do.  I presume it's Dan Skillman, since he's in charge of the City Parks.  But, maybe not.

There's a general attitude of indifference in STL that's not present in most other cities, although areas of KC were like that.  If you haven't been to one of the smaller towns, you should try to get out there.  They make the reception given by STL look positively lame.

And, yes, I do volunteer.

[RaoulDuke]

sam-peloton, on Dec 18 2008, 02:56 PM, said:

I agree, lance could do some great things for the event.  But at the same time take away from the event, and other riders and their time to bask in their glory for a race or two.  I like the ability just to say hi to the riders and talk a little, the casual feel of the event.  Getting people like lance might formalize the event to much, but at the same time maybe that is the way it will go in time anyway, as it will probably become more and more of a business venture as the years go on.  And will probably need to in time to secure its future.  Who knows, either way I will have a good time
sam
peloton cyclery

You must not sell Treks...