NEWS
For Immediate Release
June 23, 2008

Contact
Julie Whitley
(614) 832-5373
whitleyj@columbus.rr.com

GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio – Top professional cyclists from the U.S. and around the world will race through the streets of Grandview Heights this weekend during the 16th annual Germain.com Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic.

A favorite stop on the summer cycling circuit, the event features two days of world-class bicycle racing as well as a number events and activities for spectators and cyclists alike.

“The Germain.com Tour de Grandview is a wonderful tradition and one of the great summer events in central Ohio,” said Grandview Heights Mayor Ray DeGraw. “We’re pleased to have the race back for the 16th time this weekend and look forward to some incredible racing from another star-studded field and a great time for all those who come out to enjoy and support it.”

“The Germain.com Tour de Grandview is one of the truly unique sporting events in central Ohio,” said Germain Motor Company COO Rick Germain. “It’s a great event with great athletes and great racing, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
Among the events scheduled for this year’s race are the Kids’ Sprints competition (11:30 a.m.) and Grandview Criterium races (12:30 - 6:30 p.m.) on Saturday afternoon; the Saturday night Grandview Avenue Street Party (6:30 – 11:00 p.m.) with food, drinks, live entertainment and children’s activities; and the signature Grandview Cycling Classic featuring the Ohio Cup Race Series (12:30 – 6:30 p.m.) on Sunday afternoon.

The races will feature both men and women cyclists in multiple professional categories. The criterium courses will cover a number of the hilly, tree-lined streets on either side of Grandview Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare.
The Germain.com Tour de Grandview has been a showcase for emerging national and international cycling talent over the years. Among the event’s many successful alumni are 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis, 2007 Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, 2003 USPRO champion Mark McCormack, 2000 U.S. national road racing champion Nicole Freedman, and 2004 American Criterium Series champion Melissa Sanborn.

A $20,000 purse will be on the line during the event, the lion’s share of which will be awarded to the top finishers in the elite men’s and women’s categories. Prize money also will be paid to placers in the Junior and Masters categories, and will be paid equally to men and women.

The Germain.com Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic is Ohio’s premier cycling event, attracting an international field of more than 300 professional cyclists to central Ohio each year, as well as hundreds of cycling enthusiasts and spectators. 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 sponsoring businesses. More information is available at www.tourdegrandview.com.

-30-