"Tour of Missouri" Bicycle Race, Stage 2

This week Missouri is hosting one of the three largest pro bicycle races in the US. The Tour of Missouri (http://www.tourofmissouri.com/) is a six day race. Today was stage 2 from Clinton, MO to Springfield, a total of 125 miles. I found a spot near the finish line.The most well know team in the race is the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. The team includes 4 big names in pro cycling: George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, Yarslav Popovych, and 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador. In day's race, a break away of 12 riders finished about 16 minutes ahead of the pelaton (the main group of riders). It was a sprint finish, with George Hincapie (in dark blue and black) pulling head (top 3 photos) with less than 100 yards to go for the win! Tomorrow will be an individual time trial in Branson, and I hope to be there too!

Fifth photo down I believe is Levi Leipheimer, in blue. Bottom photo is George Hincapie, who was presented with the "yellow jersey", which signifies him as the race leader.

Odd news of the day. . .. One rider crashed today and is out for the race (I heard a rumor, that he may have broken his collar bone). The reason for the crash? He hit an armadillo!