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2008 Route Details And Maps Announced |
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One extra day, more hills and three new courses
to challenge world-class cyclists in September
“The Cuban Missile”, Ivan Dominguez of the Toyota United team, won two stages last year and will return to the Tour of Missouri for the 2008 race. Photo by John Pierce - PhotoSport International
June 23, 2008 (St. Louis)
A ‘deceivingly tougher’ Tour of Missouri will challenge the field of 120 worldclass cyclists from 15 elite professional teams when they line up for the September 8th – 14th Tour of Missouri, race organizers announced today in the overall race finish city St. Louis. Each of the seven courses for the weeklong event were announced by Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, race director Jim Birrell and two time stage winner Ivan Dominguez of the U.S.’s top domestic squad Toyota United Pro Cycling Team.
“Again, the great state of Missouri will play host to these worldclass athletes from more than 20 countries this September,” said Lt. Governor Kinder. “This year, we’ve worked to make the course more challenging and with a few new twists, including new terrain, new cities, homage to our Armed Forces on September 11th and another grand finale in St. Louis.”
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Hincapie featured in marketing program |
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 George Hincapie, the defending champion of the Tour of Missouri, will lend his image and likeness for the 2008 marketing campaign, organizers announced.
Hincapie, a team member on a record eight Tour de France wins, will appear on the official poster (see above), rack card, event guide, and map guide for the race, as well as in television and web advertising. It marks the first integrated promotional program using an athlete since the 1996 Tour DuPont, which used Lance Armstrong, then an up and coming star of the sport.
"It's not everyday you have a superstar of the sport win your race," said the Tour's marketing director Steve Brunner. "We thought this would be a great way to feature George and bring attention to the race. He and his team were excited about the ideas on how we plan to use him."
The official poster and rack card featuring Hincapie were unveiled at a press conference in St. Louis.
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Special host city signs by MODOT announced for 2008 |
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Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder today announced, with St. Louis officials, a special host city sign created by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Along with St. Louis Deputy Mayor Ron Smith, the Lieutenant Governor unveiled a sign that will be displayed at six locations around St. Louis designating the Gateway City as a host city for the international cycling race this September.
“We have created a designated sign to provide demarcation with the help of MODOT for the 12 host cities. The cities have expressed support and pride in this program.”
This is the first program of its kind for a professional cycling stage race in the United States.
MODOT also will partner with Missouri Tourism and Edward Jones for the Official Map Guide using the state’s roads, which is traditionally seen as a road map at many tourist waysides around the state. That program was introduced last year and another first for a professional stage race in the United States and will include all stage maps.
“This event is as much about tourism and economic impact as it is sport,” said Kinder. “Our marketing programs are about promoting tourism within the context of the race.
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