True enough...but it did start with "lets have an international race here". The state leaders heard about the Tours of California and Georgia and wanted to see if it could be done here. A committee was formed and Medalist (who run the other two Tours) were brought in and off it went. It's not like the UCI and USAC asked to have it in Missouri, quite the opposite.

As for the terrain, if guys like Hincapie, Leipheimer and Contador wanted to ride another TdF right now, they'd be at the Vuelta. But there are different reasons why they like the race: proximity to home, preparation for the Worlds, etc. But I can vouch that they liked the race. The crowds were great and enthusiastic. If all these guys wanted were TdF types of races they wouldn't race much in Belgium or the Netherlands I would think. And, next year there will certainly be more challenging terrain as more of the Ozarks are brought into the race. Part of the decision on the course was from the State itself, as it was essentially the title sponsor and the reason the race even happened.