The recent announcement of Scott Moninger's retirement at age 40 was handled superbly by race organizers at the Tour of Missouri. Moninger's career highlights were detailed and the veteran cyclist was given a nice ovation at the race's final stage circuit race in St. Louis.

Like the rest of the field, Mike Sayers appreciated Moninger's sendoff, but it was at least in part an odd circumstance.

While Moninger was getting kudos for his pending retirement, Sayers, the long-time veteran pro from Sacramento, had decided to remain in the peloton for one more season.

Sayers will be age 38 nex
t January. He has a one-year-old son he wants to be around as he grows up. But he also still has the desire to race. And so Sayers has agreed to compete in 2008 for the BMC Cycling team, his current team.

Although Sayers said he'll race a reduced schedule next season, when he does race, he'll be the elder statesman of the peloton.

"That will be it; one more season," Sayers said prior to the third stage individual time trial in Branson. "Just one more year.