ST. LOUIS, MO (April 1, 2009) — Event organizers and Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today announced the additions of two top US-based teams to the 2009 Tour of Missouri line-up. Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team and BMC Racing Team, both returning for the third year, join the previously announced group of Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-High Road, Liquigas, and Cervelo Test Team. The Tour of Missouri professional cycling race will take place September 7-13, 2009.
“The number of teams vying to compete in the 2009 Tour of Missouri illustrates the event’s growing reputation and enhanced level of competition,” said Chris Aronhalt, the managing partner of event organizer Medalist Sports. “Many of the sport’s top teams are looking to add the Tour of Missouri to their 2009 race calendars.”
Though a stellar world-class field was presented in 2008, the three-year-old race is expected to be even better as the Tour of Missouri was granted an upgrade to one of the top five-ranked events outside Europe by international and national federation’s for cycling last month. More teams will be announced in coming weeks and race rosters will be announced in August.
“To continue to attract some of the top teams in the world shows how important the Tour of Missouri has become,” said Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. “This event has proven to be an economic winner for the state, in terms of drawing tens of thousands of visitors and garnering international exposure for the great state of Missouri.”
BMC Racing Team, which always seems to animate the American races, is expected to be led by Jeff Louder, who finished sixth overall last year, and was named the Drury Hotels Most Aggressive Rider overall in last year’s race.
“BMC is excited to come back to the Tour of Missouri. It’s one of the biggest races now on our calendar. Last year, I had a good ride there and I look to repeat that success,” said BMC’s Jeff Louder, last year’s overall Drury Hotel Most Aggressive Rider for the Tour and last week’s winner of the Tour of Redlands in California. “The Tour of Missouri has developed into a great race with a lot of top teams participating. It’s a great stage to prove yourself.”
Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team, a top domestic team celebrating its 10th anniversary in the US pro peloton, is expected to be led by Missouri native and sprinter Brad Huff, who narrowly missed winning a stage last year. In addition, event organizers also announced that Jelly Belly Candy Company will become a corporate partner of the Tour of Missouri, providing interactive displays and fan-favorite jelly beans to spectators on a daily basis.
According to Jelly Belly’s Team Director Danny Van Haute, the Tour of Missouri ranks high on the team’s 2009 calendar. “We’ve assembled the strongest squad in the team’s history and the Jelly Belly riders will be ready to take on the world’s best in September.”
“We consider the Tour of Missouri a highlight of our event season and are delighted to expand our partnership with this race,” said Stephanie Scott of Jelly Belly Candy Company. “Along with some exciting racing, we promise plenty of Jelly Belly fun for all of the great Missouri fans who come out to cheer for our riders.”
This year’s race will change course, with the start on September 7 in the heart of downtown St. Louis and the finish seven days later in Kansas City. For the first time, the race will route east to west. Additional host cities include Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Chillicothe and St. Joseph. The overall mileage for the course is expected to be more than 600 miles.
There will be two circuit races (St. Louis, Kansas City), one individual time trial (Sedalia), and four point to point road races (Ste. Genevieve to Cape Girardeau; Farmington to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Chillicothe to St. Joseph).
The Tour of Missouri’s premier sponsors to date are Missouri Tourism, Missouri Farm Bureau of Jefferson City, Drury Hotels and Edward Jones, both of St. Louis. For more information: www.tourofmissouri.com.
