For more information on both the Gateway Cup and the Tour of Missouri, please see the following websites:

Related Links

• Gateway Cup
• Tour of Missouri

August 21, 2009 | By: Peggy Stelzer

St. Louis Hills neighborhood is proud to host the second leg of the 2009 Gateway Cup on Saturday, September 5th. The course, known to racers as the St. Louis Hills Francis Park Criterium, will be a defined 1.3 mile lap around Francis Park, bounded by Nottingham, Eichelberger, Tamm and Donovan. This Americanized style of racing appeals to both athletes and spectators alike as the peloton, or pack of cyclists, pass by every few minutes at impressive speeds holding line only inches apart from on another. Spectators can watch the race develop lap after lap and hear commentators announce race strategy, allowing more of an understanding and involvement in the excitement.

There will be five to six races, based on ability ranging from newbies to pros. The day will be punctuated by a feature event: The Tour of Missouri Womens Series. In this race, the nations top female cyclists will hurl themselves through corners averaging 30 mph towards a typically thrilling sprint finish. There will also be a Kids Race, where all participants will receive a T-shirt and a medal, in addition to a chance to win some fabulous prizes from the City Museum and Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Below is a sample schedule for the day (subject to change):

SCHEDULE START CATEGORY DISTANCE PLACE/PRIZE 10:00 am Registration Opens

11:00 am Cat 4/5 40 min + 5 laps 3/Medals & Glory

12:00 pm Masters 40+/50+ 45 min + 5 laps 15/$800

1:00 pm Cat 4 45 min + 5 laps 15/$600

2:00 pm Cat 3 45 min + 5 laps 15/$800

3:00 pm Kids races Sprint Big Wheels - Age 12

3:30 pm Tour of Missouri Women's Series 45 min + 5 laps P,1,2,3-20/$1900 Cat 4. 4/$100

4:30 pm Pro,1,2 75 min + 5 laps 20/$1900

Post Race Onsite Party

Food! Beer! Band!!

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On The Weekend of September 4, 2009

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The weekend starts on Friday, September 4th in Lafayette Square for the Tour de Lafayette and continues on Sunday, September 6th on The Hill with the Giro Della Montagna. On Monday, September 7th the race will share the finish line with the Tour of Missouri at the new City Garden in the Gateway Mall. Highlighting the day and closing the Gateway Cup will be the Tour of Missouris Womans Classic, featuring the top women in North American cycling. This will be the biggest day in cycling in the United States, due to the combination of the Gateway Cup, the Tour of Missouri Womens Series and the Tour of Missouri Pro Cycling Race. The Show Me State will welcome 120 of the worlds elite cyclists on a 700 mile point-to-point stage race from St. Louis to the Ozarks, over the Katy Trail, along Route 66 and the historic Missouri River, with a fantastic finish in Kansas City.

For more information on both the Gateway Cup and the Tour of Missouri, please see the following websites:

www.gatewaycup.com

www.tourofmissouri.com