NEWS
For Immediate Release

TOUR DE GRANDVIEW TO CAP OFF TRIPLE-HEADER CYCLING WEEKEND IN OHIO

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 11, 2010 – Ohio will play host to three premier professional cycling events in one weekend in June, creating the biggest weekend of bike races in the Midwest.

Coined a “three-day racing sandwich” by VeloNews, Madeira’s Centennial Criterium, Cincinnati’s Hyde Park Blast and Grandview Heights’ Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic will join forces for a three-day cycling celebration on Friday June 25, Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, respectively, attracting top professional cyclists from the U.S. and around the world.

The triple-header, sanctioned by USA Cycling, will feature both men and women cyclists in multiple professional categories, as well as top amateur competitors. Madeira, Ohio will host Friday’s events through its business district; the Hyde Park Blast in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood will host Saturday’s races; and Columbus suburb Grandview Heights will provide the venue for Sunday’s Tour de Grandview. All are part of USA Cycling’s Ohio Cup Series.

Prize money will be awarded to the top-finishing individuals in each day’s professional races, and bonus prizes will be awarded for individuals and teams who post the best results over the three days of racing.

“By linking the three cycling events in one weekend, we’re making these events better and keeping riders, teams and fans from having to choose among them,” said Ohio Cycling Association President Kirk Albers, who has competed in all three events. “It’s more bang for everyone’s buck.”

The events will include activities for spectators and cyclists alike. Among the events scheduled for this year’s Tour de Grandview are a Kids’ Sprints competition and street party on Saturday, with food, drinks, live entertainment and children’s activities, and professional cycling races and spectator amenities on Sunday.

Event information for the Madeira Centennial Criterium is available at cincinnati.biowheels.com. Hyde Park Blast information is available at www.hpblast.com. Information and registration for the Tour de Grandview are available at www.tourdegrandview.com.

The Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic attracts an international field of several hundred professional cyclists to central Ohio each year, as well as cycling enthusiasts and spectators. Celebrating its 18th year in 2010, the Tour is organized by the non-profit Grandview Community Association with the support of the City of Grandview Heights, local volunteers and sponsoring businesses. More information is available at www.tourdegrandview.com.

Contact
Kirk Albers
614.668.5523
kirkalbers@prodigy.net

Julie Whitley, Tour de Grandview
614. 832.5373
whitleyj@columbus.rr.com