Missouri has been working to establish a professional stage race, and while it's not completely official yet, the Tour of Missouri has been added to the international calendar for September 11-16, 2007, right after the Tour de France. The eight stage race will likely start in KC, dip down into the Ozarks, and finish up in St. Louis. The Missouri race would be part of a new USA Cycling professional tour.

If this thing becomes a reality it would be amazing for cycling as well as tourism in Missouri. The Tour de Georgia draws over half a million spectators and more than $25 million to that state. More details should become available soon.

News reports from Daily Peloton, Local Cycling, and the Springfield News-Leader.