On a positive note and continuing with the cycling theme, it seems fans have not abandoned cycling as a sport.

According to an article on Yahoo! Sports, thousands of fans filled the streets of St. Louis for the Tour of Missouri. Not to be mistaken with the famed Tour de France, but the fans - by supporting and defending their favorite sport, definitely sent a message for those who believe cycling is tainted.

"You're just glad to be in the game, and when you see a home run like this in the first year, it takes your breath away," said Sean Petty, chief operating officer for USA Cycling. "We've taken a lot of hits lately in the sport and a lot of pre-emptive calls for the end of cycling.

"I got choked up with the initial reception in Kansas City, and every day since we left Kansas City the crowds were stunning."

George Hincapie, who won the individual title in the last U.S. race by juggernaut team Discovery Channel before it disbands, was struck by the fans that greeted riders as they began the final downhill sprint home in the final 74-mile circuit Sunday in downtown St. Louis.

"You can kind of see straight down to the finish and all you can see is people," Hincapie said. "It was really cool to be a part of that."

It was nothing like this year's Tour de France, marred by the doping-related dismissal of leader Michael Rasmussen and the absence of 2006 champion floyd landis because of doping charges still hanging over his head.