Tour of Missouri - 2.1

USA, September 8-14, 2008

Photography

Stage 7 - September 14: St. Louis Criterium, 79 miles

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) was a big hit with the fans this week in Missouri.
• Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) signs everything fans throw at them.
• The jersey leaders get called to the line for stage 7.
• And they’re off for the shortened stage.
• Kirk O’Bee (Healthnet) and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) head out together to try to get away from the field.
• Blue skies were minimal during the stage, which had been shortened thanks to severe storm activity.
• The bunch heads back in towards downtown St. Louis.
• Riders pass one of St. Louis’ finer neighborhoods.
• Bridges crisscross today's windy stage.
• Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) spent the day keeping out of trouble on the rain slick roads.
• Riders get strung out as they go after the break.
• The gap gets a little wider by the halfway point of the race.
• The two companeros... Kirk O’Bee (Healthnet) and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) worked well together to stay out front for most of the day.
• The race leader Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) moves to the front as the pace picks up.
• The bunch slows up on the courses one little roller of a hill.
• Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) leads the break.
• Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) comes to the line well in front of the rest of the field.
• Got him! Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) takes the win in downtown Saint Louis.
• Bernard Eisel (Columbia) relaxes after crossing the line. It ended a long, tough week of work.
• Kirk O’Bee (Healthnet) explains why he spent so much time off the front.
• I love America! Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) was pretty happy to be on the podium.
• Team Columbia took home the team prize for all of their efforts.
• Jersey winners line up for the usual podium parade.
• The overall podium: (l-r) Mick Rogers (Columbia, second), Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle, first) and Svein Tuft (Symmetrics, third).

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The race leaders take to the line ahead of the final stage
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia) at the front as the rain begins to fall
• David Zabriskie (Garmin/Chipotle) leads the Garmin squad at the front of the pack
• Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) off in the early break

Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) and Kirk O'Bee (Health Net-Maxxis) made a go of it

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• That's how the cookie crumbles as Kirk O'Bee (Health Net-Maxxis) and Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) spend the last minutes of their time off the front before being caught
• Come on, one last try! Kirk O'Bee (Health Net-Maxxis) made a last ditch effort as the pack closed in on him
• Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) hits the line just ahead of Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
• Mike Sayers (BMC) made his tearful farewell to professional racing during the awards ceremony

Stage 6 - September 13: Hermann - St. Charles, 96 miles

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) takes his third win on the race.
• The start line in Hermann for stage 6.
• Riders start to roll out.
• Riders pass by one of the wineries on the way out of Hermann.
• Tony Cruz (BMC) looking pretty happy to get out on the road.
• A break gets started not long after the things get started.
• The peloton passes over a bridge after the first sprint of the day.
• David Zabriskie (Garmin-Chipotle) has been race leader Christian Vande Velde’s right hand man the whole week.
• The bunch keeps tempo to monitor the break.
• Jeff Louder (BMC) has been active in the breaks the past couple days.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) has been staying well in control of things heading into St. Louis.
• Riders go hard at the front of the break.
• Michael Creed (Rock Racing) gets a bike adjustment out on the road.
• Water was high in some places from the recent heavy rains.
• Davide Frattini (Colovita-Sutter Home) going hard for the KOM.
• Lots of fans were in place to cheer riders up the KOM.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) at the front of the field on the KOM.
• Eric Wholberg (Symmetrics) leads the chase.
• Boy van Poppel (Rabobank) was looking good today after his big win yesterday.
• The peloton cruises by one of the small water ways today.
• The break got all the way up to a 4:45 gap today.
• The chase got hot and heavy as the day went on.
• Another KOM for the break.
• The break starts to fall apart as they get past the 20 kilometre mark.
• Bernard Eisel (Columbia) tried to go it alone after the break got caught.
• Bernard Eisel (Columbia) gets some time on the field.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) starts to pull ahead of Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) for the win.
• Columbia teammates of Mark Cavendish were happy to take home another win.
• The jersey leaders heading into stage 7 and the last day.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• A large crowd was on hand to great the riders .
• The locals looked on .
• Please sign my baby! .
• Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle) .
• Some say cycling fans are babies, sometimes they are right!.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) gives the camera a big kiss as Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) looks on in disbelief.
• Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) best young rider ready for work.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) leads the roll out .
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) stays close to his teammates on the KOM.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) wins another one ahead of Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) .
• Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefit) after a rather nasty crash was happy the to see an end to the day.
• All the jerseys.

Images by Phoenix Timing Systems

• The side view of the sprint shows how far ahead Cavendish was.
• The timer's view of the sprint shows Cavendish well ahead of Dominguez.

Images by Greg Chang/Photosport International

• Fans watch the race pass.
• The crowds gather for the podium presentation.
• A bridge crossing in Missouri.
• Riders make their way through stage six.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) grabbing some food.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) focuses after his win.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) awarded after his stage win.
• Tom Danielson (Garmin Chipotle - H30) leads the pack, with Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) to his left.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) keeps the yellow race top.
• Race leader Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30)
• The jersey wearers with Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) in centre.
• USA's Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) is close to winning the overall.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) dominates another stage.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) flies to another stage win in Missouri.
• Flowers launched by Mark Cavendish (Columbia).
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) tops the stage winners podium.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) puts on the race leader's top.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) awarded the yellow jersey of race leader.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) in the centre of the jersey winners for the day.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) giving an interview after the stage.

Stage 5 - September 12: St. James - Jefferson City, 108 miles

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Images by Tour of Missouri

• Boy Van Poppel takes the uphill stage from his Rabobank team-mate.
• Van Poppel ahead of Rabobank team-mate Michael Van Stayen.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Boy Van Poppel takes the uphill stage finish and celebrates with his teammate as they cross the line.

Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Van Poppel is the first rider to beat Mark Cavendish in a sprint since the Giro.
• Riders head out of downtown St. James for stage 5.
• Bernard Eisel (Columbia) leads the first attack of the day.
• The bunch passes over a river en route to Jefferson City.
• Eric Bauman (Sparkasse) had a tough fight out on the road today to try and stay in the sprint leader jersey.
• Sparkasse worked hard at the front to reel the breaks back in.
• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) holds onto third overall heading into the last 2 stages.
• Team Sparkasse keeps the tempo high at the front.
• Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) had an easier time of things today.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) tried his hand at being in the break today.
• Michael Creed (Rock Racing) lends some power to the break.
• David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast) was one of the last riders to stay away today.
• Darren Lill (BMC) going hard on the front of the break.
• The break working hard together to get more time on the field.
• Henk Vogels (Toyota-United) brings some bottles up to the rest of the team.
• The break descends after one of the KOM’s.
• Michael Creed (Rock Racing) takes a pull on the front.
• The peloton gets strung out as it passes some of the rockier parts of Missouri.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) and Darren Lill (BMC) spend some time pulling on the front of the break.
• The peloton gets strung out through some of the lush Missouri countryside.
• Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) gets a little more focused as things progress.
• Long roads and wide open space along the route today.
• Riders tackle one of the many rollers on the course.
• Garmin-Chipotle and Symmetrics come to the front to take some time out of the break.
• Jelly Belly also shared in the work at the front today.
• Numbers in the break start to dwindle but they keep the pressure on.
• David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast) and Darren Lill (BMC) make at last attempt at staying away.
• The spearheaded group makes its way into downtown Jefferson City.
• The bunch passes by the state capitol building.
• Boy Van Poppel (Rabobank) gets interviewed by reporters after today’s big win.
• Rabobank enjoyed having the top two spots on the podium today.
• The jersey leaders had a scenic backdrop today with the state capitol building.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• Boy Van Poppel (Rabobank) signs autographs at the beginning of the day
• Matej Mugerli (Liquigas) stops in at the local diner for a tasty treat, it is very possible he will test positive for "Vanilla Shake."
• The Veteran Honour Guard was there for the rider call up
• A Colavita rider hangs off the front and checks the pack under his shoulder as he crosses the line at the beginning of the circuits
• Race winner Boy Van Poppel and his Rabobank teammate Michael Van Stayen watched by Mark Cavendish (Columbia), l - r.
• Boy Van Poppel (Rabobank) gives a post race interview
• All the local celebrities were on hand for the podium presentation

Stage 4 - September 11: Lebanon - Rolla, 95 miles

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) leaves the bus in the morning to face a tough day on the road.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) and the Columbia boys get ready on the line.
• Riders are off for the day.
• The bunch gets strung out in the Missouri countryside.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) responds to an acceleration at the front of the bunch.
• Craig Lewis (Columbia) leads an attack early in the stage.
• Garmin-Chipotle had a full day of controlling things at the front.
• Riders descend after the first KOM.
• The peloton gets shattered after a crash just after the KOM.
• It was a long road for riders and team cars to catch up on after the crash.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) weathered the storm easily in the bunch.
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia) launches an attack.
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia) gets a small gap on the field.
• Soldiers were happy to have the race pass through Fort Leonard Wood.
• A retired tank and lines of soldiers greeted riders as they passed through Fort Leonard Wood.
• George Hincapie (Columbia) made it into the break that eventually launched teammate Michael Barry.
• What was left of the front group once the four riders got away.
• Riders sit up once the break gets a gap.
• Andy Bajadali (Kelly Benefits Strategies-Medifast) biding his time in the break.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) sitting in the break and waiting for the attack.
• The attacks start to go as we get closer to town.
• Jeff Louder (BMC) gets away with Michael Barry (Columbia).
• Jeff Louder (BMC) continues to lead as the finish circuits loom ahead.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) launches his attack.
• The chase group makes its way onto the circuit.
• Jeff Louder (BMC) does all he can to get to the line.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) comes in solo after his late attack.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) showing the strains of the day after his big win.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) monitored the time gaps to spend another day in yellow.
• The jerseys heading into tomorrows stage.
• At the end of the day a young fan shows his route map and excitement for the race.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) solos to his first win in three years in Rolla on stage four.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) held off the chasing group of favourites after dropping his three breakaway companions.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Michael Barry (Team Columbia) takes his first win in two years.
• The main field making their way towards Rolla.
• Christian Vande Velde (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) maintains his overall lead, but was forced to defend today.
• Vande Velde working hard.
• Barry salutes the crowd as he crosses the line solo.
• The field received a military style salute.
• Barry finished with 46 seconds to spare , plenty of time to savour his win.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• The pack crests one of the early rolling hills
• Tom Zirbel (Bissell) talking to the boss
• Michael Barry (Columbia) lets it all hang out
• Jelly Belly at the front
• Dominique Rollin (Toyota - United)
• Michael Barry (Columbia) on another attack
• Christian Vande Velde (Team Garmin-Chipotle) with one lap to go on the circuit
• Michael Barry (Columbia) all alone with lots of time to celebrate
• Michael Barry (Columbia) giving post race interviews

Stage 3 - September 10: Branson (ITT), 18 miles

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) rockets to the win and overall lead in Tour of Missouri's stage three time trial.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) warms up for the TT.
• The Rock Racing boys get ready for the day.
• Andrew Randell (Symmetrics) leaves the start house in downtown Branson.
• The Missouri Department of Transportation was out in full effect to protect riders on the course.
• Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) rides along the massive line of MDOT trucks.
• Riders passing on the hilly and windy Branson course.
• Andrew Bajadali (Kelly Benefit) tackling one of the long climbs.
• Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) posted a good time at the first split.
• Jacopo Guarnieri (Liquigas) had a chance to take in more of the Missouri countryside today.
• Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) tries hard to get down the descent as fast as possible.
• Brad Huff (Garmin-Chipotle) had lots of fans out near his home town.
• David Zabriskie (Garmin-Chipotle) comes by to post a time 1:10 off the winning pace.
• Rory Sutherland gets tucked in and aero for the descent.
• Ron Ruijgh (Sparkasse) made the long trip all the way from Holland to race in Missouri.
• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) rode a great race to come in third today.
• Tom Zirbel (Bissell)
• Mick Rogers (Columbia) coming by with a good ride for second place.
• Tony Cruz (BMC) always has a consistent ride.
• Martin Kohler (BMC) comes up the road sporting the best young rider jersey.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) has been a work horse for the team this week so far.
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia) had bad luck today with a flat out on the course.
• George Hincapie (Columbia) came in with a good 4th place finish.
• Jeff Louder (BMC) was a little off of his Tour of Utah winning pace today.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) will be happy to get back to the sprint stages.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) makes it up the climb in the last kilometer.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) has to fight all the way up to the finish line on this hilly course.
• Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) takes over the lead after winning the stage.
• The Branson waterfront provided the back drop for who has the jerseys so far.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Thomas Danielson’s (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) ride was good enough for 8th.
• Christian Vande Velde (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) took the toughest time trial of the season, according to him.
• Vande Velde looking extremely focused.
• Mark Cavendish wasn't able to hold onto his overall lead.
• Hard work paid off.
• Steven Cozza (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) finished 1.51 down on his teammate.
• Michael Rogers (Team Columbia) finished 2nd 21 seconds behind.
• Cavendish makes his way to the line.
• The stage podium.
• David Zabriskie (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) the current US TT champion.

Images by Greg Chang/Photosport International

• George Hincapie (Columbia)
• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics Cycling Team) took third for the day.
• Michael Rogers (Columbia) finished second.
• Craig Lewis (Columbia) gets started.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) rides in defence of the yellow top.
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) on his winning run.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia)
• Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30) takes over the leader's top.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) and Christian Vande Velde (Garmin Chipotle - H30), on right, on the podium after the stage.

Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• Svein Tuft (Symmetrics Cycling Team) on his way to a good third place
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia) Italian TT Champ
• Tom Danielson's (Team Garmin-Chipotle) looking like a mad dog
• Steven Cozza (Team Garmin-Chipotle)
• Marco Pinotti (Columbia)
• George Hincapie (Columbia) followed closely, took 4th
• Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas)
• Last day in the leaders jersey for the sprinter Mark Cavendish (Columbia)

Stage 2 - September 9: Clinton - Springfield, 126 miles

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Images by Jonathan Devich/

• The town of Clinton rolled out a massive US flag for the rider’s departure.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) starts to do with his shiny new leader’s jersey.
• The break that stuck for the bulk of the day.
• The break makes its way across one of today’s rivers.
• An old stone house provides the back drop for riders as they get closer to Springfield.
• The main bunch crosses one of today’s larger bridges.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) sits in the bunch with teammates close at hand.
• The main field barrels across a dam along the route.
• Team Columbia sets the tempo and gains some time on the break.
• Large barns are common in the mid-west but not quite like this one.
• The break continues with a 1:30 gap.
• The break starts to attack each other as they get closer to Springfield.
• Michael Barry (Columbia) leads the bunch into the last lap.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) heads into tomorrows TT in yellow.
• Cavendish takes his second consecutive stage to retain the overall lead.

Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• The main field heads past a traditional farmhouse with Columbia leading the way.
• Cavendish (Columbia) takes the win after a fine team lead-out.
• [There was] nothing else to do but win!
• A huge American flag was rolled out at the stage start.

Stage 1 - September 8: St. Joseph - Kansas City, 90 miles

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Images by John Pierce/Photosport International

• Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia) takes the opening stage of the Tour of Missouri into Kansas City.
• Cavendish won the stage ahead of Tyler Farrah (Garmin-Chipotle).
• The Pony express came with the news that the Tour of Missouri had started.
• Cavendish is the proud owner of three jerseys.

Images by Jonathan Devich/

• Cavendish celebrates as he crosses the line to take stage 1.
• Davide Frattini (Colovita/Sutter Home) gives an autograph at the start in St. Joseph.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) was a big hit with the fans at the start.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) takes to the line.
• The colour guard comes out to send of the race.
• The race makes it to the outskirts of St. Jo.
• Tom Zirbel (Bissell) and Martin Kholer (BMC) snuck of the front in the early part of the stage.
• Jonathan Sundt (Kelley Benefits) bridges up to the break.
• The bunch was not too interested in chasing early in the day.
• Team Columbia gets on the front to start to reel in the break.
• Tom Zirbel (Bissell) powers the 3 strong break.
• David Zabriskie (Garmin-Chipotle) will be sporting his new TT national camp skinsuit this week.
• The group passes a big field of tobacco plants on the way to Kansas City.
• It was a picturesque scene out on the route today.
• Michael Creed (Rock Racing) will be looking his opportunities to get into a break this week.
• Toyota United gets back to the group after taking care of some business back in the caravan.
• Team Columbia keeping the pace high on the front.
• The field flies through the old town of Parkville.
• Things stayed strung out in hopes of bringing back the break.
• Team Columbia worked hard today to keep their top sprinter in good position.
• A short lived split at the front of the field gets all of the big guns up the road.
• Reflections show the race going through downtown Kansas City.
• The bunch seems to get back together again before entering the last circuit.
• Passing by some of the finer real-estate outside of downtown.
• Will Routley (Symmetrics) tries to go solo.
• Some scenery along the finishing circuit.
• Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Chipotle) and Mark Cavendish (Columbia) drag race to the line.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) easily takes his first US win.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) looking like he has some more tricks up his sleeve for this week.
• Mark Cavendish (Columbia) basks in the glow of today’s win.