Tour of Missouri officials revealed on Tuesday the route of the time trials which will be held in Branson on Sept. 13. The time trials will be the third stage of the six-day, 600-mile race through the state and is the first time for the event in Missouri.
“This is going to be the largest sporting event the state of Missouri has ever seen,” said Barry Bennett, director of communications for Lt. Gov. Pete Kinder’s office. “There is no other place that we could see this race taking place than Branson.”
The time trials, also known by the athletes as the “race of truth,” will feature an 18-mile course that includes 2,500 feet of climbing.
“The actual race will start at The Landing and proceed north down the walkway, which is going to make for a very unique start,” said Bill Marshall, assistant technical director for the race. “It is going to give all of the shops here an opportunity to have all the spectators and fans in front of their businesses.
“Once we leave Branson Landing, we will get on Highway 65 North for approximately one mile and exit immediately and take the overpass onto Branson Hills Parkway and trek up hill to the High Road. They will go up Branson Hills Parkway, which is literally uphill the entire way, until they get to the (Ozark Mountain) High Road. Once they actually get to the High Road, they will take off to the east and they will go all the way out to Highway 65 and turn around and continue back all the way along the High Road and end up at the Shepherd of the Hills (Outdoor Theatre). It is going to be a great race.”
Marshall said the majority of the course will be great for spectators. “You are really going to get to see a show put on by the athletes,” he said.
Professional cyclist Dan Schmatz said he is extremely excited about the time trials being held in the Ozarks. “The hill is going to be really hard and provide a good place for spectators,” the Missouri native said. “The constantly rolling terrain offers a fantastic route and it will be great for people within or traveling to the state to see what big-time professional cycling is all about.”
Bennett said Branson is the perfect backdrop for this stage of the race. “Branson has so many venues and the variety of landscape and the ability to host things like this,” Bennett said. “The rooms, the ability of the of the restaurants to serve people, it is kind of crazy not to have it here. It is possibly the most logical place to hold an event like this. As for the number of spectators, it is much bigger than a world series, bigger than a football game, we are talking the potential of hundreds of thousands of people. Throw that all together, why wouldn’t you come to Branson.”
Branson alderman Dick Gass is also optimistic the Tour will generate big bucks. “This race creates the potential for millions of additional tourism dollars being pumped into the local economies of Missouri, including Branson,” Gass said.
Information courtesy of Branson Daily News