November 22, 2009
The race returns
Crowds gather to watch riders cross finish line
Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo
Francesco Chicchi celebrates his Stage 6 win of the Tour of Missouri Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph. Mr. Chicchi finished the 110.3-mile stage in a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, 41 seconds, nosing out Norway’s Thor Hushovd and Argentina’s Lucas Sebastian Haedo.
One of the biggest reasons to continue the Tour of Missouri in St. Joseph was the people and money it brings from all over.
Civic Center Park served as an example to keep the race in the city Saturday afternoon as hundreds gathered from different states and countries to watch 112 bike riders cross the finish line.
Nerves were rattled in July when it was announced the Tour of Missouri could be nixed due to budget cut recommendations. All was forgotten as Downtown St. Joseph was drowned in cheers and noisemakers for Stage 6 of the Tour of Missouri. The final stage will end today in Kansas City.
Morning and early afternoon activities included a kids’ bicycle race and adult tricycle competition as well as tourists perusing the different vendors at the park.
By 3 p.m., most peoples’ eyes were fixed on a huge digital screen on the corner of North 10th and Francis streets as it broadcast the cyclists weaving their way from places such as Lebanon and Savannah, Mo., to their final destination.
Decked out in Norway-themed clothing including a huge flag, Lorie Ross, of Fallon, Mo., came with her husband, sporting a helmet with horns, to support Thor Hushovd, a second-place winner for the day.
“My husband and I did this last year, and I just caught the bug,” she said.
For Sara Marquart, of Birmingham, Ala., this was a chance for her to follow the race for the third year in a row and visit her native state.
“Just as there are baseball fans and football fans, I’m a cycling fan,” she said. “I’m originally from Missouri, so I get to come home to see family and friends, but I also get to follow my passion.”
Joining with the people from out-of-town, locals said they were glad so many people were taking the opportunity to come to the city.
“It puts St. Joseph on the map, and anything to show off St. Joseph — hey, I’m for it,” Dave Berger said.
At about 4:40 p.m., the cheers, cowbells and basically any object that could make a noise did as the racers made their way down the home stretch. In a triumphant ending, Italy’s Francesco Chicchi raised his hands in glory as he passed first across the finish line.
Following the race, Mayor Ken Shearin gave a speech congratulating the city for coming together and all who competed.
“If anybody has any confusion about how proud we are having this race here, please leave now,” he said.
Andrew Gaug can be reached
at andrewgaug@npgco.com.
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Shearin also made a statement about Amazonia. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it something like "as if it wasn't bad enough having to go through Amazonia"
great crowd, and wonderful weather. this was a good day for joetown.
for shearin, not so much.
really sad that no one gave a plug for the bikers and blues festival, which was literally two blocks away in coleman hawkins park. that was a lost opportunity.
I was there at the bike race and it was a great day. They had prize drawings, and all kinds of free giveaways. Tons of free things for the kids to do. Thank you to all the sponsors of that. Also, just to see the bikes and how fast they went was amazing. I am glad we went to see it all. A really great day for St Joe.
I am glad we had it here in town and hope we do again next year.
"as if it wasn't bad enough having to end at City Hall"
It was a great time had by all. The crowds were great and people seemed to be having lots of fun. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it a great event. Some how all of our head people seemed to forget to thank the ones who gave their time. I'm sure it was just an oversight since they know how important it is to have people volunteer when you would love to be watching from the finish line.
This was an awesome event!!! Civic Center Park makes a great venue for many different events and to see it utilized to that extent is great for the community and excellent PR. Very very buildings are out there that provide such an elegant and graceful backdrop as the St. Joseph City Hall. It was terrific to see lots of people attending this as well as the other events throughout the day, the Beatles revival show at the Missouri Theatre, Josephine at the Civic Center, the Blues Festival, Tour De Missouri, all in one day, that is the potential the downtown has to offer and it should continue to be expanded upon. The crowds and money spent go to re-enforcing that.
And a big thank you to all the volunteers who worked the Tour De Missouri and all the other events.
John, you put it well. I watched on the net when they reached Savannah. I had looked at the route Friday night. I was surprised when the announcers called the last climb the one out of Amazonia on K Highway; then they and the cyclists were surprised when they turned onto NW Parkway into yet another great, winding climb. I quickly walked 4 blocks from my house to the route and saw them flash by. Even though it was quick, I really enjoyed seeing them here in St. Joseph. Too bad Cavendish and Vandevelde didn't get to finish, but it was a great sprint finish as well. Way to go, St. Joseph.
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