News Item

Fellow Missourians and Visitors,

We are very pleased to host the first Tour of Missouri, one of North America’s three premier professional cycling races. We hope that you enjoy all that Missouri has to offer. Across the state, from Kansas City to St. Louis you will experience Missouri’s beautiful scenery, kind hospitality, great food, diverse shopping and challenging cycling terrain.

There is much in Missouri to experience and discover. The 24th state, Missouri has played a pivotal part in the history of the United States as a noted starting point for the great Westward expansion. The St. Louis Arch symbolizes Missouri’s status as the Gateway to the West and is considered by many to be an “eastern” city, while on Missouri’s western border Kansas City is considered to be a “western” city, open and expansive, symbolic of the journeys that were begun from this historic region.

In every location in between you will also find great history and culture. Branson is one of the nations’ most popular family entertainment destinations, our state’s capitol in Jefferson City features a history museum of Missouri and beautiful views of the wide Missouri River, in the city of Columbia you will enjoy a thriving and diverse college town, in Hermann you can experience Missouri’s beautiful wine country. Visitors will also enjoy Missouri’s first state capitol in St. Charles and the history and heritage of the charming city of Clinton. In Springfield and Lebanon you will also find much to explore and see in the beautiful Ozarks.

At local festivals and celebrations at each stop you will discover what truly makes Missouri so great, its people. The home of Harry Truman, Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder and other famous Missourians, our state has made a mark on the world that will now include the world of cycling.

I know that once you have seen the Show-Me State you will want to show others and return again. Enjoy the race and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

Sincerely,
Matt Blunt