Tour of Missouri, a seven-day, 600-mile point-to-point cycling stage race across Missouri is now underway.  The race, which started on September 8, will make its way across the state and will pass through Washington, Missouri on Saturday, September 13.  The 2008 race is the second year for the event. 

Stage 6, a 110-mile road race, will start Saturday morning in Hermann, Missouri.  The course heads east to Washington on Highway 100 before crossing the Missouri River on Highway 47.  Stage 6 continues north and ends in St. Charles.  The last stage, Stage 7, is a 75-mile circuit race, which takes place in St. Louis.

The race was extended this year from six days to seven and will feature 120 of the world's elite cyclists.  Last year's event was a significant draw for tourism in the state.  Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder said of the 2007 race, "This event proved, in only its first year, to be hugely successful for all involved, most importantly the great host communities of the Tour."  Kinder also noted the economic benefit of the event, saying "The economic impact of the first Tour of Missouri was overwhelming. The estimated number of spectators totaled 367,000 with total tourism expenditures at $26.2 million."

To read more about the race, visit the event's website: http://tourofmissouri.com/

To view a map of stage six, which passes through Washington, MO, click here: Stage Six Map