The biggest bicycling event to ever hit the state of Missouri rolled into Springfield today – the inaugural Tour of Missouri. The Tour started yesterday with an out-and-back ride from the Plaza in K.C. north to Platte County with a dramatic finish around Ward Parkway. We volunteered to assist with the race and ended up being marshals west of Springfield. We picked up our volunteer shirts and goodie bags at the Tour Expo center and headed out to our station where we were joined by an engaging fellow who now lives in Georgia but hails from England. He’s a volunteer for the entire week as a marshal and gave us the low-down on his job since he also covers the Tour of Georgia and the Tour of California. With all expenses paid plus some spending $ and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the racers, we’re putting this opportunity on our “to do” list for after I retire.
We kept the cars off the main road and before long we got word that the front of the pack was heading our way – first came the photographers, then the safety motorcycles and then a pack of about 12 cyclists who had broken away from the peloton by about 17 minutes. I barely had time to get a couple of photos and they were gone – a sea of rainbow jerseys – AWESOME! Sure enough, about 17 minutes later, here came the rest of the riders – another blur of colors and they were gone!
We immediately got in the car and headed for the downtown area hoping to see the final loops from our perch in the VIP tent but alas, we got stymied by heavy traffic. We did get to see the awards ceremony and got some photos as one of our favorite riders, George Hincapie of the Discovery Channel team, took the yellow jersey as the overall race leader after winning today’s stage AND the green jersey as the best sprinter.
Today was picture perfect for biking and several of the tour volunteers told us that they are so impressed with our state and the way the race is set up and they feel sure this will become an annual event. Best of all we saw lots of friends at the finish line – fellow cyclists and sports enthusiasts. The excitement was contagious and we just wish we could follow them for the next 4 days as they do time trials in Branson, then ride from Lebanon to Jeff City, on to Columbia and finish in downtown St. Louis on Sunday – the last day that the Discovery Team will ride together as a team. May Discovery Team and Hincapie still be atop the podium on Sunday dressed in yellow!
