The 2009 Tour of Missouri was the third annual edition of a professional road bicycle racingstage race held in Missouri. It began on September 7, 2009 with seven days of racing. The Tour of Missouri is considered the second highest profile domestic race in the United States this year, bettered only by the Tour of California. Television coverage of the race will be limited to daily 30 minute recorded highlights on Versus, and some local TV station coverage. Live streaming of the race will be available for all stages online via the Official Tour of Missouri web site Tour Tracker and the Universal Sports web site.[1]
September 7, St. Louis Circuit Race - 75 mi (121 km)
Numerous attacks were launched on the 7.5 mile circuit, but only the trio of Tomas Vaitkus, Chris Anker Sørensen, and Moisés Aldape were able to stay away for any significant amount of time, picking up the majority of bonus seconds for the stage. Team Columbia–HTC kept close tabs on the break, keen to lead out sprinter Mark Cavendish. Thor Hushovd launched the sprint with a broken wheel, sustained just before the sprint, but was passed by Cavendish and Juan José Haedo.[2]
September 10, St. James - Jefferson City, 109.2 mi (175.7 km) Mark Cavendish, the winner of the first two stages, did not start stage 4 due to respiratory illness.[4]
Another day-long breakaway was formed containing Bernard Van Ulden, Jeff Louder, Bradley White and Michael Creed. The Cervélo TestTeam and Garmin–Slipstream led peloton never let them get much more than three minutes advantage. They were finally caught just before the finishing circuit, a three lap circuit containing the "Capital wall". Multiple attacks were launched on the steep hill, but none succeeded. There was a large crash in the back of the field, claiming George Hincapie and the stage winner's brother, Lucas Sebastian Haedo. Juan José Haedo was able to outsprint yellow and green jersey holder Thor Hushovd to take the stage win and the yellow jersey.[5]
