Tour De France Entourage Prepares to Race in the Inaugural Tour of Missouri

About seven weeks after the conclusion of the controversial 2007 Tour de France, American Levi Leipheimer will lead a large entourage of cycling's finest riders in the inaugural Tour of Missouri.

The six-day event, the third event in a three-race series orchestrated by Medalist Sports of Tyrone, Ga., will begin Sept. 11 in Kansas City and conclude Sept. 16 in St. Louis.

Leipheimer, the leading American and third-place overall Tour de France finisher, recently confirmed his participation.

Race officials have announced nine of the teams competing in the event. The lineup includes the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling, the squad that features Leipheimer and reigning Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain.

Leipheimer claimed the first Tour de France stage of his career with a dominating individual time trial victory in the 19th stage.

Although he races primarily in Europe, Leipheimer won the 2007 Tour of California in February, which included a stage to his hometown in Santa Rosa. He also won two stages in April at the Tour de Georgia.

With his third-place Tour de France finish, Leipheimer joined Lance Armstrong (seven titles, 1999-2005), Greg LeMond (three titles, 1986-'89, '90), Floyd Landis (one title, 2006 ) and Bobby Julich (third, 1988) as Americans who have finished on the Tour de France podium.

Leipheimer, who finished 31 seconds behind Contador in the Tour de France, has also finished sixth, eighth, ninth and 13th overall in the Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious event.

Race officials expect to soon announce the complete Tour of Missouri roster.

Here's the itinerary and stage descriptions of the inaugural Tour of Missouri:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007: Stage 1 - Kansas City
85 miles (137 kilometers)
Start: 1 p.m., Finish: 4-5 p.m.

Stage 1 begins Country Club Plaza and takes the racers to 47th St. through the center of the plaza, into downtown and through many of Kansas City's parks before heading north through North Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City and back. Three five-mile circuits up Ward Parkway and down to the plaza will offer spectators close views, including late-race attacks.

Wednesday, Sept. 12, Stage 2 - Clinton to Springfield
125 miles (201 kilometers)
Start: 11 a.m., Finish: 3:30-5 p.m.

Stage 2 begin downtown square in historic Clinton, the northern gateway to Lake Truman, Missouri's second largest lake, and home to the western trailhead of the Katy Trail, the longest rail-trail in the country. The course follows country roads whose steep rollers will challenge and offer breakaway opportunities. Passing through Stockton and Willard, the race will finish at Jordan Valley Park after two circuits in Springfield.

Thursday, Sept. 13, Stage 3 - Branson Time Trial
18 miles (29 kilometers)
Start: 11 a.m., Finish 2 p.m.

Branson will provide a backdrop for an individual time trial that includes 2,500 feet of climbing into the Ozark Mountains. Starting from Branson Landing, the course will bring the racers out and back along the aptly named High Road and provide an uphill finish at the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre. The Branson Time Trial could be the race's pivotal stage

Friday, Sept. 14, Stage 4 - Lebanon to Columbia
123 miles (198 kilometers)
Start: 11 a.m., Finish: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Tour's longest stage will start at the Cowan Civic Center and bring the race through the downtown business district. Once out of town, the course included steep, rolling terrain into Jefferson City. After an additional 30 miles through Mark Twain National Forest, the race will enter the college town of Columbia finishing at Boone County Courthouse in the historic downtown area.

Saturday, Sept. 15, Stage 5 - Jefferson City to St. Charles
123 miles (198 kilometers)
Start: 11 a.m., Finish: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Stage 5 begins on capitol grounds, passes through downtown and then takes the racers through the wine country. Wine-tasting spectators can watch exciting sprints for points in Hermann, Washington and Augusta. Crossing the Katy Trail at several points, the race will then climb on Schulsberg Road and then into historic St. Charles. The race will finish at the Depot in St. Charles at the end of Katy Trail.

Sunday, Sept. 16, Stage 6, St. Louis Criterium
74 miles (119 kilometers)
Start: 1 p.m., Finish 4 p.m.

Stage 6 begins at St. Louis Union Station for a criterium around St. Louis. The course will include seven 10.6-mile laps around St. Louis