By Adam Allington, KWMU
St. Louis – Bike races are among the highlights of Labor Day activities in St. Louis.
The final events in the Gateway Cup bicycle race are scheduled for Monday morning at Kiener Plaza. Then at 2.30 p.m., the Tour of Missouri begins.
The seven-stage race will take a week. It concludes Sunday in Kansas City.
Director Jim Birrell says the tour of Missouri is among the most challenging American cycling events.
"While there are no mountains here in Missouri, there are some very sharp short, steep climbs that are unforgiving," Birrell said. "They come one after another after another, as opposed to spending 45 minutes climbing one big mountain in the Tour De France."
Fifteen teams will compete for a $150,000 purse.
Birrell says last year's tour drew some 400,000 people to the race route.