[Don@Cape]

Kinder hopeful for 2010 Tour of Missouri

Associated Press - February 8, 2010 8:54 AM ET

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Lieutenant Gov. Peter Kinder is expressing optimism that the Tour of Missouri bicycle race will happen again this year.

Kinder told KMOX Radio in St. Louis he is hopeful the money will be in place soon to begin extensive planning for the professional bike race. Kinder is chairman and says the event could still go on even if state funding falls through.

But he acknowledges it makes it much more challenging, since the $1.5 million in tourism tax money is about 45 percent of the event's annual budget.

Kinder says last year's Tour of Missouri drew 500,000 spectators. He estimated the economic impact for the state and host communities at $38.1 million.

The race is tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 31