1. Tuesday, September 11
Kansas City
Description An out-and-back road course with a finishing circuit
Distance — 85 miles

Start — 1 p.m., Country Club Plaza
Finish — About 4:30 p.m., Country Club Plaza
Unique features
The course is ideal for an early attack and breakaway, which probably would be caught when the riders begin the three 5-mile circuits. Other riders could try to launch a late attack on the final circuit and escape the pack for a victory.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
The final circuits pass by some of Kansas City's fountains. They'd make a nice background for shutterbugs.

2. Wednesday, September 12
Clinton to Springfield
Description
A road stage with rolling terrain that ascends gradually from 800 feet to almost 1,300 feet above sea level. The stage finishes with two circuits around downtown Springfield.
Distance — 126 miles
Start — 11 a.m., Clinton Historic District
Finish — About 4 p.m., Jordan Valley Park
Unique features
Brad Huff of Team Slipstream-Chipotle is a native of the Springfield area. He'll be motivated to put on a show for the hometown fans, especially because the finish plays to his strong suit, circuit racing.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
Near the intersection of Missouri Highways 32 and 39 at Stockton Lake, roughly the halfway point of the stage. The riders will sprint for green-jersey points and are expected to arrive between 1:15 and 1:45 p.m.. Arrive early, pack a lunch and enjoy Stockton Lake for the rest of the afternoon.

3. Thursday, September 13
Branson — individual time trial
Description
Most of the riders will start one minute apart. The final 10 will start two minutes apart. All will race against the clock.
Distance — 18 miles
Start — 11 a.m., Branson Landing
Finish — About 2 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills
Unique features
This stage offers the best chance for the contenders to separate from the pretenders. Expect a shakeup in the overall standings, also known as the general classification or GC.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
Highway 465, about 2 1/2 miles from the finish, by Ledgestone Country Club. There's a steep hill, where the riders can earn points in the King of the Mountain competition, and a time check. You'll be able to keep track of which rider is the fastest on the course and the likely winner of the stage.

4. Friday, September 14
Lebanon to Columbia
Description
The longest stage, featuring rolling terrain that gradually descends from the Ozarks.
Distance — 133 miles
Start — 10:30 a.m., Lebanon Civic Center
Finish — About 4 p.m., Eighth and Walnut streets, downtown Columbia
Unique features
The route passes through part of the Mark Twain National Forest and is suited to a big group on a long breakaway.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
Highway C, north of Montreal, population 862. The green, wooded hills are remote. But you're just 15 minutes from Lake of the Ozarks State Park or 30 minutes from the Ozark outlet shopping mall, if you're looking for something to do after the riders pass between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

5. Saturday, September 15
Jefferson City to St. Charles
Description
A road course along Highways 94 and 100 that starts flat but includes some of the steepest hills of the race, in wine country, and finishes in St. Charles' historic district.
Distance — 127 miles
Start — 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol
Finish — About 4 p.m., on Riverside Drive, near the depot at the end of the Katy Trail
Unique features
Three hills designated for King of the Mountain points make this a good stage for climbers.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
In Augusta, King of the Mountain points are situated near Webster and High streets as well as near Schleursberg Road and Highway 94. The route also crosses the Katy Trail, so you could get on your bike, take a ride and cheer the riders as they cross your path.

6. Sunday, September 16
St. Louis
Description
Riders will make seven circuits of a 10.6-mile loop through downtown, midtown and Forest Park.
Distance — 74 miles
Start — 1 p.m., Union Station
Finish — About 3:40 p.m., Union Station
Unique features
After four days of rolling hills, the finale is relatively flat. The riders could briefly accelerate to more than 40 mph, and the stage is likely to finish in a mass sprint.
Best place to watch, other than the start/finish
Any of the Fan zone listed in how to watch. Bring a blanket and snacks.