ST. LOUIS — No engineers needed for this Bommarito race.
The 39th Bommarito Audi West County Gateway Cup is underway in Lafayette Square Friday evening.
"This is one of the biggest professional cycling events in the United States," Gateway Cup Event Director Michael Weiss said. "This is going to be probably the best collection of elite cyclists at the end of the summer."
It's the end of summer part that can be a pain for event organizers.
"There's always a storm plan," USA Cycling Chief Judge Dan Brungard said. "This race in particular here at Lafayette for some reason we've had a number of really bad storms."
Races go on unless there's lightning. Brungard says the kids will ask, "'Well, what happens if it rains?' and I look at them and say, 'You get wet. Once you're wet, you're wet, so keep racing.'"
For cyclists who push through to the finish line, there is a big reward.
"The Bommarito Gateway Cup is the final of an 8-race series that has over a half million dollars in prize money," Weiss explained. "Our event is for the final purse of $100,000 split equally across men and women and then the Gateway Cup itself has a $50,000 purse."
The first race of the series is in Lafayette Square, then it moves to Francis Park for Saturday, the Hill on Sunday and a new spot for Monday. Weiss said he's excited to bring the Monday race to Old Town Florissant for the first time.