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For the first two years of the race, St. Louis served as the finish line for the Tour of Missouri. In 2009, the city will serve as the race's starting point, befitting its nickname of the Gateway City. The first leg of the race will be a spectator-friendly circuit through the cosmopolitan streets of downtown and into the many picturesque neighborhoods that make St. Louis such a culturally diverse region. The St. Louis area offers a number of great places to ride from the Great River Road to the Katy Trail. There are a number of annual races and family-friendly events held in the region, including the very popular Moonlight Ramble in August and the Gateway Cup in early September.
Key Attractions: The Gateway Arch, Missouri History Museum, The Magic House – St. Louis Children’s Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Grant’s Farm, Saint Louis Science Center, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Walk of Fame, Butterfly House, City Museum, Gateway Riverboat Cruises, Saint Louis Zoo, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Museum of Transportation and Six Flags St. Louis.
   
Gateway Cup
For the 18th straight year, the top amateur and professional cyclists from around the United States will converge on St. Louis for four days of racing over Labor Day weekend. Presented by THF Realty, the Gateway Cup takes place in the heart of four unique St. Louis neighborhoods – Lafayette Square, St. Louis Hills, the Italian Hill, and downtown St. Louis in conjunction with the Tour of Missouri Stage 1 start/finish line. Within each of these host communities the race, a criterium, and its course is defined by an approximately one mile lap. 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 lines only inches apart from one another. Spectators can watch the race unfold lap after lap and hear the commentators announce race strategy and rev up the crowd, creating an understanding and involvement with the events.
The Gateway Cup features five or six successive races each day based on ability, ranging from beginner to pro. Each day is highlighted by the feature events, the men’s Pro-Am Race and the Tour of Missouri Women’s Series. In these races, up to 150 of the nation’s top cyclists will hurl themselves through corners approaching 30 mph towards a dramatic and thrilling sprint finish. For information, visit www.gatewaycup.com.
Tour of Missouri Women’s Series
The inaugural Tour of Missouri Women’s Series will feature four days of professional women’s racing showcasing the speed and skill of the top female athletes in the United States. The Women’s Series will be run in conjunction with the Gateway Cup and will conclude with the Finale on September 7 prior to the start of Stage 1 of the Tour of Missouri. For information, visit www.gatewaycup.com.
Giro Della Montagna / Tour of Missouri Ride
On Sunday September 6, recreational riders will have the opportunity to take a tour of historic St. Louis that includes a majority of the Tour of Missouri Stage 1 race circuit route. Sponsored and supported by Trailnet, the ride will begin and end in the Italian Hill neighborhood and have ride options of 20, 31, and 40 miles. The ride will end in time to watch Sunday afternoon’s Gateway Cup races on the Hill. For information, visit www.trailnet.org.
Gateway Cup / Tour of Missouri Children’s Races
Each day of the Gateway Cup, children’s races will be staged sharing the same finish line as the Cup races. The children’s races will be free, and donations will be accepted benefitting the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amaci program, which assists children of incarcerated parents. For information, visit www.gatewaycup.com.
Other St. Louis Activities
Over the Labor Day weekend, there will be several events occurring throughout the St. Louis region, including the Missouri vs. Illinois college football game at the Edward Jones Dome, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Big Muddy Blues Festival at Laclede’s Landing. For information, visit www.explorestlouis.com.
Schedule of events is as follows:
Friday Sept 4th
- Gateway Cup – Lafayette Square Races
- Stage 1- Tour of Missouri Women’s Series
- Kid’s Races
- Soulard Art Market presents SPOKED! - bicycle themed art exhibit - Visit Site
Saturday Sept 5th
- Gateway Cup- St. Louis Hills Races
- Stage 2- Tour of Missouri Women’s Series
- Kid’s Races
- Saturday Night, Tour of Missouri Women’s Soiree
- Featuring- Photography Exhibit
- Music by The Unconscious
Sunday Sept 6th
- Gateway Cup- the Giro della Montagna
- Stage 3- Tour of Missouri Women’s Series
- Kid’s Races
- Trailnet Ride- Tour of the Tour of Missouri Route
- Liquigas/Cannondale Autograph Event at the Giro
- Sunday Evening, Tour of Missouri Black Tie Gala Team Presentation
- The City Museum
- Charity silent auction for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Monday Sept 7th
- Gateway Cup- Tour of Missouri Criterium
- Stage 4 Finale- Tour of Missouri Women’s Series
- Kid’s Races
- Autograph Alley prior to Tour of Missouri stage 1 start
- Tour of Missouri – Stage 1 start and finish in downtown St. Louis
- Stage 1 bike valet parking to be provided by St. Louis Bike Federation
- Outdoor Music Stage- The Unconscious
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