Tour of Missouri could be cancelled
By Kathleen Nelson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Just as the Tour de France is peaking interest in cycling around the world comes word that the Tour of Missouri could be cancelled.
The race has been placed in jeopardy because $1.5 million in state funding has been frozen.
A memo dated July 6 from Linda Martinez, director of the department of economic development, outlined $9.9 million in budget cuts, including a proposal to cut the $1.5 million allocation for the Tour of Missouri from the state’s tourism budget.
“To receive word of this proposal not to be allocated is devastating,” said Chris Aronhalt of Medalist Sports, which coordinates the race with the tourism division. “We’re ready to go. We’re at the no-turning-back point.”
The race is scheduled to start Sept. 7 in St. Louis and finish in Kansas City on Sept. 13. Among the teams that have committed to the race are seven teams competing in the Tour de France, including Astana, the team for which Lance Armstrong rides. Armstrong is second in the Tour de France; his teammates are third, fourth and fifth.
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/10-speed/10-speed/2009/07/tour-of-missouri-could-be-cancelled/
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