JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — St. Joseph’s relationship with the Missouri River — not bicyclists — helped nab its status as the launch site for a high-profile race set for September.

Applause and standing ovations in Jefferson City welcomed the Wednesday announcement of the host cities for the 2008 Tour of Missouri.

“Eh, it’s a bicycle race.”

That’s how local cyclist Chuck Beaty predicted the average Joetowner’s response to the news.

But for the non-bicycle savvy, Mr. Beaty broke it down: “This is an international thing ... This is a big deal.”

With 10 teams from the Tour de France already trying to sign up for the race and massive media exposure expected for the International Cycling Union and USA Cycling-sanctioned event, countless eyes and ears will be pointed toward St. Joseph on Sept. 8.

That’s when 120 of the world’s elite cyclists will start a 600-mile point-to-point race, which in 2007 kicked off from Kansas City.

This year Kansas City will be the finish of the event’s first stage, which will entail a 90-mile road race from St. Joseph.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said race organizers looked to add new host cities to the lineup this year and St. Joseph was a “logical” choice, being so close to Kansas City International Airport.

“We’re very excited this year we are going north of the Missouri River,” Mr. Kinder said during a news conference in Jefferson City.

He said that the only one other city north of the river — the apparent goal — to apply for the race was Kirksville.

Chris Aronhalt of MedalistSports, which selected St. Joseph for the kick-off, said another reason stems from the city’s proximity to Kansas City hotels.

A video presentation during the conference revealed that when the 2007 inaugural race finished in St. Louis, no hotel rooms were vacant for 100 miles. Last year’s race brought with it 367,566 spectators, with a total economic impact of $26.2 million. Non-Missourians spent an estimated $21.1 million.

City Councilman Mike Bozarth, who attended the news conference, plugged St. Joseph’s 21-mile parkway system to the crowd of bike enthusiasts.

Wesley Revels, a 2007 race volunteer from St. Joseph, said he had tried to convince organizers of a St. Joseph-only circuit race because of the parkway.

“But maybe next year,” he said to Mr. Aronhalt.

Mr. Aronhalt said input from St. Joseph leaders will significantly affect the staging site’s location.

Andy Clements, the city’s assistant director of public works, said possible sites could include Civic Center Park behind City Hall or the Pony Express stables.

The city will have to foot much of the host costs, as organizers tell each community to expect to pay at least $25,000.

Mr. Clements said most of those funds could come from private donors.

The following stops unveiled Wednesday were: Clinton to Springfield; Branson; Lebanon to Rolla; St. James to Jefferson City; Hermann to St. Charles, and St. Louis.

The race ends on Sept. 14.

For more information, go to www.tourofmissouri.com.