(From the Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic-) The streets of Grandview Heights will be filled with world-class cyclists Friday night when the gun sounds for the 21st annual Tour, presented by Lindsay Acura/Honda. Celebrated national and international teams, including the Jelly Belly Cycling Team featuring Columbus native Johnathan Freter, the United Healthcare-sponsored 706 Project Cycling Team, Texas Roadhouse Cycling, and the Champion Systems Stan’s NoTubes Team with former national champion Adam Leibovitz, will have riders in the field alongside leading regional teams like Team Upland Brewing and top individual racers like former Ohio State hockey star Chelsea Knapp.

“We’re excited to have another top-flight field for this year’s Tour de Grandview, with more than 175 riders already registered,” said Tour promoter Andys Burns.  “It’s going to be a great night of cycling on Friday, and we’re looking forward not only to the racing but also to more of the incredible support we’ve come to enjoy from the central Ohio community these last 20 years.”

The Tour de Grandview’s marquee races will feature professional men and women, as well as top amateur riders, in races ranging from 15 to 30 miles at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.  The criterium course will start and finish on W. First Avenue between Glendale and Hope Avenues, and will include the well-known Bank Block on Grandview Avenue, as well as Willard and Second Avenues.  There also will be a Kids’ Sprints competition along First Avenue with prizes going to the fastest child riders in a variety of age groups, as well as a $5-per-rider Charity Lap to raise funds for Pelotonia.

Going on around the races will be the annual Pour de GrandBrew Street Party, which this year will feature Craft Beer Sponsor The Ohio Taproom, Agent 99 on stage, and food vendors. Guest Pourers include Cheryl Harrison of DrinkUp Columbus, John Evans, The Ohio Taproom owner, and the founders of the Grandview Craft Beer Alliance. The events start at 6:30 p.m.and will till about 10:30 p.m., when the pro cyclists finish under the lights.

For complete information, go to http://www.tourdegrandview.com