VIDEOS

2009 Champion Dave Zabriskie

Photo by John Pierce - Photosport International

Chicchi from Liquigas Wins Stage 6 of the Tour of Missouri

Photo by Greg Chang - Photosport International

Photo credit ©Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

Photo by John Pierce - Photosport International

Photo by Greg Chang - Photosport International

Photo by Greg Chang - Photosport International

By C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

KANSAS CITY, MO - (September 13, 2009) - In a city referred to as the "Paris of the Plains", the American-based Garmin-Slipstream came away with the overall prize at the champagne stage of the 2009 Tour of Missouri, with their American time trial specialist Dave Zabriskie retaining the Missouri Tourism Race Leader's Jersey. The winning time of Stage 7 was 2 hours, 33 minutes, 11 seconds. "My guys, they're gonna get some big hugs from me tonight. I really appreciate what they did for me. The last two days...that's why they call it a team sport," added Zabriskie, who adorned the Missouri Tourism Leader's jersey on Friday after winning the individual time trial in Sedalia.

ST. JOSEPH, MO (September 12, 2009) Resembling the stride of the Pony Express horse and rider depicted on a bronze statue at the finish line, Italian Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Cannondale) powered his way to the victory at Stage 6, presented by Wind Capital Group, in St. Joseph, Mo. Chicchi finished the 110.3-mile (177.5 km) stage in a time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, 41 seconds "We were going 52K (kilometers per hour) for the first part of the race. So, we were flying all day. Only at the Tour de France do you see something like this," added the stage winner through an interpreter. The peloton averaged 29.85 miles per hour (48 km/h) for the day, making Stage 6 the fastest stage of any at the Tour of Missouri.

ST. JAMES, MO - (September 10, 2009) A fourth day and a fourth time on the podium, but today Argentinian Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank) stands on top, taking the win at Stage 4, presented by Missouri Farm Bureau. Yesterday's stage winner, Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team), was close to Haedo, and Italy's Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) repeated again in third. In the general classification (G.C.), J.J. Haedo will wear the Missouri Tourism Leader's Jersey going into tomorrow's Individual Time Trial in Sedalia.

"It was my first year ever (to wear yellow jersey). I'll be processing it all night," said Hushovd, who won the prestigious green sprinter's jersey as the Points Classification leader in the 2009 Tour de France. "Today I reached the right energy level at the right moment."

ROLLA, MO - (September 9, 2009) - In a chaotic sprint after a day of serpentine climbing, sprinter Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) edged out Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank) for the Stage 3, presented by Emerson, win today at the Tour of Missouri. Argentina's Haedo crossed the line with Italy's Dario Cataldo (Quick Step), both two/tenths of a second behind Hushovd. Hushovd finished in 4 hours, 26 minutes, 50.4 seconds.

The win put the Norwegian "God of Thunder" in a virtual tie for the overall lead with Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC), who had worn the Missouri Tourism Leader's Jersey for the first two days of the race. In the general classification (G.C.), both riders have a time of 11.27'19" after three days of racing. Hushovd will take over the Missouri Tourism Leader's Jersey based on the aggregate of place finishes. Cavendish finished fifth on today's stage.

ST. LOUIS, MO - (September 8, 2009) - British speedster Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) proved to be the fastest man in the peloton for a second day, winning Stage 2, presented by Missouri Wine & Grape Board, at the 2009 Tour of Missouri. Cavendish finished in 4 hours, 16 minutes, 53 seconds. Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) secured second and Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank) took third, reversing their podium places from yesterday.

In the general classification, Hushovd moves up from fifth to second overall, 10 seconds behind Cavendish. Haedo remains in third overall, with the same time as Hushovd.

"I had less people at the end from our team. It was a bit surprising, there were attacks from the other teams, like Kelly Benefits attacked with 5k to go. It upset the rhythm," Cavendish said about the sprint finish in Stage 2, which was his 25th victory of the season."

ST. LOUIS, MO - (September 7, 2009) - British sprinter Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) thrilled the huge Labor Day crowds with a sprint victory at Stage One of the Tour of Missouri today. He outdueled Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank) of Argentina, who finished second, and Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) of Norway, who finished third, for the first Missouri Tourism Leader's Jersey of the week.

SPOKEN ART

Several Chillicothe Middle School Art Club members work on decorating bikes this (Thursday) morning in the CMS art room. Organizers say 20 bikes have been donated from the senior center and some students donated bikes to the project as well. The art club members and after school club members have been decorating the bikes for a contest which will be held in conjunction with the Tour of Missouri. All the bikes will be judged at half-time of the football game tomorrow (Friday) night. The bikes will also be displayed in the downtown area over the weekend. Students who decorate the bikes that win top honors will receive cash prizes.