Missouri Tourism Committee fails to include 2010 race in this year's budget.

Organizers of the Tour of Missouri have canceled this year's cycle race after state tourism officials declined to help fund it.

Tour of Missouri chairman Mike Weiss said on Thursday that organizers pulled the plug on the race after state Governor Jay Nixon's administration refused to support it.

The race, which started in 2007, was considered one of the world's top five cycling events outside Europe and attracted riders including Alberto Contador, George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer. The 2008 race attracted 434,000 spectators and the state estimated a return of just under $30 million in economic impact for its $1.5 million investment that year.

Earlier Thursday, a budget committee for the Missouri Tourism Commission endorsed a $13.4 million spending plan that included no state money for the race.

Roadcycling.com's comment: Good Morning Missouri! Howdy!