The Germain.com Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic attracts an international field of more than 100 professional cyclists to central Ohio each year, as well as cycling enthusiasts and spectators from throughout the Midwest. Celebrating its 16th year in 2008, the Tour is organized by the non-profit Grandview Community Association with the support of the City of Grandview Heights and a host of local volunteers and corporate sponsors.

A favorite stop for top cyclists from the U.S. and around the world, the Tour features two days of world-class bicycle racing through the streets of suburban Grandview, as well as a number of events and activities for spectators and cyclists alike.

Among the events scheduled for this year's race are a cocktail reception on Friday night, June 27th; a Kids' Sprints competition and criterium races on Saturday afternoon, June 28th; a Saturday night street party with food, drinks, live entertainment and children's activities; and Ohio Cycling Association Ohio Cup Series Criterium races on Sunday afternoon, June 29th.

The races feature both men and women cyclists in multiple professional categories. The two criterium courses cover a number of the hilly, tree-lined streets on either side of Grandview Avenue, the city's main thoroughfare. The event also spawns an enjoyable collection of yard parties, neighborhood gatherings and family reunions that give the races a fun and festive feel.

The Grandview Community Association was formed as a non-profit association in April 2005 to promote community activities that enhance the health and well-being of the community. The GCA's primary activity is coordinating the annual Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic, an event which has in the past 15 years become Grandview's signature event, and which is fast becoming a leading destination of central Ohioans every June. The GCA is a 100% volunteer organization that depends on countless residents and business people to put on the races, the street party, the kids'sprints, and all the other events that make the Tour de Grandview such a fantastic event.

As a result of the GCA's leadership in bringing the Tour de Grandview back to the area, we have been able to draw on corporate sponsorships and the support of area businesses to generate enthusiasm for the sport and the community, and to enable us to give back through donations to numerous non-profit groups.

These include donations to:

• The James Cancer Research Center's Stefanie Spielman Fund
• The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Fund
• The City of Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation Department
• The Bobcat Boosters
• The Grandview Education Foundation.