Missouri adds women's race

The Tour of Missouri will add an invitational pro-am women's race in conjunction with its top-ranked men's event this September. The one day criterium will be held in Kansas City before the arrival of the men for the end of their first stage of this year's event on September 8.

The women will compete for a $7,500 cash purse on a 1-kilometer course with multiple turns and hills at the Country Club Plaza. The Women's Criterium will start at 1 p.m. and will cover 55 minutes plus five laps.

A combined awards ceremony will be held for the men's and women's races in the Country Club Plaza, following the finish of the men's race at approximately 4:30.

"It is a privilege to announce this addition to the 2008 Tour of Missouri," said Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. "The Tour is the single largest professional sporting event in the state, and the women's race will be an exceptional prelude to the excitement of the hard-charging finishing circuits of the men's race."