AP Analysis: Tour of Missouri faces uncertain future as three-year contract ends

The Associated Press has an analysis piece this afternoon focusing on Peter Kinder's failure to wean his bike race from taxpayer funding and how his fundraising failure places its return in doubt.

As Cynthia Davis once said, however, "hunger can be a powerful motivator."  And if nothing else, Kinder is hungry for European-style bike racing.  But is he so hungry to make the ultimate political sacrifice for his race?

If so, watch for Kinder to deliver a version of this speech at tonight's taxpayer funded TOM Closing Gala: 

"With European sons leaving our roads, with My Bicycle Race’s future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for the future of novelty, European-style bicycle racing in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office – the Chairmanship of the Tour of Missouri."

"Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your Lt. Governor. But let men everywhere know, however, that a strong and a confident and a vigilant Tour of Missouri stands ready to ride again; and stands ready tonight to defend an honored cause, whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty may require."