In contemplating the word that best describes the 2008 Tour of Missouri, "speed" was the first thing that came to mind.

The second ToM was ridden at a blistering pace, 27.3 miles per hour, which is more than one-half mile per hour faster than last year's 26.804 mph and almost a mile and a half per hour faster than the 2008 Tour de Georgia's 25.895.

That makes the Tour of Missouri the fastest UCI-sanctioned race in the United States this year. (The Tour of California clocked in at 22.787.)

But while "speed" measures the tangible, Clubber Lang's prediction of "pain" for his big-screen bout with Rocky Balboa in Rocky III certainly applies to the intangible consequence of the speed at this year's ToM.

"It was a lot harder this year," said Springfield native Brad Huff, who rode this year as the team leader for Jelly Belly after riding last year for Slipstream-Chipotle. "The depth of the field is a lot greater."

Huff noted that teammate Bernard Van Ulden improved his time in the Branson TT by a minute and a half over last year -- 42:40.830 this year compared to 44:08.970 last year -- but finished only two places higher, 23rd as opposed to 25th/

"That shows you how many more top riders were going," Huff said. "It was a harder race this year. Two powerhouse teams were going at it, and that kept it fast."

The international peloton of cyclists felt a world of hurt, primarily in Stages 4 and 6 when Team Columbia laid down the hammer in its attempt to crack Garmin-Chipotle and take the yellow jersey away from Garmin's Christian VandeVelde.

Columbia owner Bob Stapleton brought a world-class squad to Missouri to defend George Hincapie's yellow jersey, and Garmin-Chipotle's director sportif Jonathan Vaughters responded in-kind in the team's quest to win its first major stage race. So when VandeVelde took the yellow jersey by winning the 18-mile uphill time trial in Branson, Columbia put forth a full-on assault to take time back for second place Michael Rogers.

"It was a really hard race, and a really hard battle," said Garmin's Danny Pate, who also rode here last year.

What Missouri lacks in high mountains (Georgia has the Appalachians and California the Sierra Nevada range), it makes up for with the relentless ups and downs of the Ozarks. Combine the Ozarks with a cross wind and Team Columbia's full-gas pace and relentless attacks, and you have the ingredients for the first groupetto in the Tour of Missouri.I still find it fascinating that a groupetto formed in the Tour of Missouri, but that's what happened when 82 riders cried uncle in 109-mile Stage 4. They congregated 18 minutes behind the leaders for a leisurely ride into Rolla while Columbia's Michael Barry, Rogers, Hincapie and Marco Pinotti went after Garmin and VandeVelde at the front of the race.

"The level of competition has grown quite a bit," added Garmin's Steven Cozza, who also competed in the inaugural ToM. "The race continues to be good."

How good? Consider that Rogers, a three-time world time trial specialist, wanted to come here just to ride the Branson time trial, which he labeled as one of the most difficult in the world and ideal preparation for the world championships later this month.

Also consider that the Liquigas boys brought Tour du Suisse winner Roman Krueziger, Vincenzo Nibali and sprinter Francesco Chicchi, and already wants to come back next year, pain and all.

VandeVelde also indicated he would be back, initially with a qualifier before giving it a whole-hearted affirmative.

"I will be back if my schedule allows it ... and my schedule will allow it!" he said.

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