Cannondale is official bike of Tour of Missouri

Press Release

Officials with the 2009 Tour of Missouri and Cannondale announced today that Cannondale is the official bike sponsor for the third annual elite pro cycling race. This is the first year for Cannondale to sign on as a sponsor, and throughout the seven-day tour cyclists will have multiple opportunities to win a free Cannondale bicycle. People will also have the opportunity to view some of the latest top-of-the-line products at Cannondale’s booth throughout the Tour.

The company is providing 20 bikes which will be given away through a variety of promotions, including giveaways with KMBC TV, KCLive.com and at the Kansas City Air show. Plus fans can register to win on www.stltoday.com . In partnership with Mich Ultra, fourteen bars and restaurants along the course are hosting viewing parties which will also include opportunities to win a Cannondale. Two full carbon fiber Cannondale Six Carbon 5 models will be given-away through www.tourofmissouri.com and velo.outsideonline.com.

Cannondale will have a large expo area where visitors will be able to see such items as Chrissie Wellington’s bike that she will use to defend her World Ironman championship at Kona, the Cannondale Slice Hi-Mod. Also on display will be Liquigas team bikes and two “project” bikes pushing the lightweight envelope of what is considered possible.

“Our sponsors represent the essence of our race and are undoubtedly why the Tour of Missouri is successful year after year,” said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission which is the presenting sponsor of the race. “We are proud of our sponsors and the opportunities that the race brings to each of them. Consequently, the fans are presented with a world-class professional sporting event that is free to attend and watch worldwide.”

Headquartered in Bethel, Connecticut, Cannondale designs, develops and produces bicycles with a passion like no other. Striving to be the best bicycling company in the world, they remain focused and dedicated to everyone they touch, from riders to employees, retailers to vendors. Known for unsurpassed innovation and state of the art technology Cannondale is an industry leader.

“Racing is in our blood at Cannondale, so we are pleased to add the Tour of Missouri to the select group of cycling events that we sponsor,” says Scott Struve, global marketing director for Cannondale. “It is a long-standing part of our heritage and culture at Cannondale. Naturally, we’re doubly elated to be here — because we’re the official bicycle sponsor and because we’ve brought members from our pro-tour team to the Tour of Missouri.”
The Tour of Missouri is a seven day, 600+ mile stage race with 15 of the world’s top professional cycling teams competing. From St. Louis to Kansas City, the race route travels through some of the state’s most picturesque highways and roadways. Scheduled from September 7 -13, 2009, the third annual race will visit 11 host cities for stage starts and finishes along the route.

For the first time since its inaugural year, the 2009 Tour will route east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, starting in Kansas City and finishing in St. Louis.