Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 2007

Shawnee, Kan. – Shane Fedon won’t easily admit to it, but the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team Head Mechanic knows a lot more about the Tour of Missouri than most of the riders who will be competing in it.

That’s because the Virginia native has spent the past two years living in Shawnee, Kan., where he and his girlfriend, Cheryl Singleton, treated the team’s riders and staff to a steak dinner Sunday night.

“I’ve lived all over the world, but this is the first place that I really call home,” Fedon said.

Fedon said some riders might be surprised at what the courses in the six-day, 558-mile race have to offer up.

“I think it’s going to be a hard course,” Fedon said. “It’ll be a lot like Univest, with some rolling hills and some good kickers. If a group gets away, you might not see them again.”

Plus, the time trial will be important. But even if you win the TT, there’s still three more days of racing after that and at least two of the days are the same."