There’s plenty to criticize in pro cycling, its doping issues to organizational woes.

But organizers of the Tour of Missouri did something nice last Sunday afternoon. They called Michael Sayers to the awards ceremony and wished him a farewell after his decade-and-a-half in the peloton.

Sayers, 38, of Carmichael, Calif., finished 38th in the main field in the final stage of the race Sunday and 77th overall in the last ra
ce of his career.

Sayers didn’t win many races (two since the 2006 season), but he was a consummate team rider. He rode long and hard and withstood the typical dilemma of aging pro cyclists — weary bones and crashes.

When he was asked to speak, Sayers thanked a handful of teammates and the team directors he rode for and with through the years. He broke down in tears a few times and concluded by saying he rode hard in every race in which he competed. Most often, it was for a teammate's success.

It was a nice send off for an unheralded, long-time pro. Sayers waved to the crowd for a few seconds and then left the stage to join teammates. Good on you, Mike. Bravo.