http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/tourofmiss_1061.mp3
Even before this year's Tour de France doping scandals, organizers of the Tour of Missouri had planned doping tests to ensure cyclists are riding without performance enhancing drugs. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
Organizers of the Tour of Missouri watched closely this week as the leader of the Tour de France left the race after being confronted by teammates about missing two rounds of pre-season drug testing.
Before the race even began, one of the favored cyclists was expelled when he failed a blood test for performance enhancing substances.
Even before this year's Tour de France doping scandals, organizers of the Tour of Missouri had planned doping tests to ensure cyclists are riding without performance enhancing drugs.
Barry Bennett is the spokesman for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who is chair of the Tour of Missouri Steering Committee.
Bennett says Tour of Missouri drug tests will follow well-known standards and will include testing for EPO, a blood enhancing hormone.
Bennett explains who will be tested during the Tour of Missouri.
Bennett says he hopes cycling fans will not be completely dispirited by this week's revelations.
He says it shows that drug testing is working.
The Tour of Missouri is a 600-mile, 6 day race that begins in Kansas City September 11th and ends September 16th in St Louis. The race will be coming through Springfield and Branson.