Tour of Missouri supporters seek private donations

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Organizers for the Tour of Missouri bicycling race launched a campaign to solicit private donations for the event while Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and his office lessen their involvement.

A spokesman for Kinder said Friday that the lieutenant governor would continue to serve on the board helping to oversee the race but has stepped down as its chairman. Kinder helped start the seven-day race that inaugurated in 2007.

Several members of Kinder's staff have been deeply involved in the race's daily operations, including the deputy lieutenant governor who had been the event's executive director. Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea said the lieutenant governor's office would no longer be involved in direct operations because the event had advanced and it was no longer required.

"The original plan from the get-go was to get the Tour of Missouri to a self-sustaining place with the assistance of state government but remove the day-to-day operations from the lieutenant governor's office," McElyea said.

Daily operations will now be handled by the Missouri Bicycle Racing Association and the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.

The Tour of Missouri in recent years has prompted criticism from some Democrats, and Gov. Jay Nixon's administration last summer considered cutting $1.5 million in state funds for operating the race.

This year, House budget writers have proposed spending $1 million for the professional cycling race. But lawmakers face falling revenue and a budget deficit of $200 million to $500 million next year.

That has prompted the race's organizers to encourage supporters to donate private funds to bolster the Tour of Missouri's financial standing. Organizers also have asked supporters to proclaim their support on a Web site and urge Nixon, lawmakers and state tourism officials to continue backing the race.

Mike Weiss, the president of the Missouri Bicycle Racing Association and a member of the board overseeing the Tour of Missouri, said he hopes several hundred thousand dollars in private funds can be raised.

Weiss said the race has developed an international following and brings visitors and significant economic development into Missouri. He said it can thrive if the state allows it to continue and develop a tradition, calling it the "State Fair with much more growth potential."

"If you look at it from a business investment -- which is what I think it is -- it's profoundly logical," Weiss said.

An economic analysis prepared by IFM Sports of last year's Tour of Missouri race estimated about a half-million people watched the race and spent $38.1 million. But some state tourism officials have questioned the value of the race.

The 2010 race is scheduled to be run Aug. 31 through Sept. 6.

Weiss said Kinder's decision to reduce his involvement could help the race's financial standing by lessening the politics involved in the Tour of Missouri.

Kinder, a Republican, has positioned himself to run for governor in 2012 against Nixon, a Democrat.

McElyea said Kinder plans to work to ensure the Tour of Missouri gets some state funding in the budget that takes effect July 1.

"It's too important of an event for the state to not be part of the process to help promote it," McElyea said.

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On the Net:

Tour of Missouri: http://www.tourofmissouri.com