More Skepticism of Official TOM Crowd Estimates

Over at Roger Kramer Cycling, a cycling blog by the design editor at the Belleville News-Democrat, there's more skepticism of the official crowd and economic impact estimates released by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder's office last week.  Kramer writes that skeptics of the crowd numbers "may be onto something":

For example, the study says 26,250 people attended the finish of Stage 2 in Cape Girardeau. At the time, the Southeast Missouri newspaper reported a crowd of just 5,000 for the Stage 2 finish.

Cape Girardeau business also reported significantly less economic activity than we see in the official Tour impact study. A spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with local Tour organizers, estimated that the race brought more than $314,000 dollars raced into the city.  The official study, however, shows $2,000,223 in total spend for Cape Girardeau -- more than six times what local businesses reported.

It should be noted that Kramer hasn't exactly been a fan of Fired Up!'s commentary about the Tour, and has blogged extensively about the race as a cycling enthusiast.