The Tour of Missouri is all but dead -- will you miss it?

Missouri legislators had to cut $6 million from something in the upcoming budget -- it looks like $1 million of it will come from the Tour of Missouri cycling race, which probably won't survive without the state's financial help.

The race was a boost for tourism across the state, especially in smaller communities that included Cape Girardeau, Farmington and Ste. Genevieve, which were among cities on the race's 600-mile route. Last year's event drew about 500,00 spectators who, in addition to watching the race, spent an estimated $38 million eating local food, buying local products and staying in local hotels.

The 2010 version of the race was already ranked by one publication as one of the top five cycling events in the U.S.

There's still a chance the race will come back with corporate sponsorship -- not a good bet in a dicey economy, but not impossible. We'll hope that somebody steps up with a hefty financial backing.

If it doesn't come back, will you miss it?