By Corinne Murphy
The Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic attracts several hundred professional cyclists from across the globe, but West Worthington native Jonathan Freter will return to compete where his interest in cycling all began.
Freter, who is riding for the famed Jelly Belly Cycling Team presented by Maxxis, has accumulated an abundance of awards for his outstanding performances, including a stage win at the Tour of St. Louis Criterium, a second-place finish at the USA Cycling Collegiate Nationals, two Ohio State Track Championships, three Ohio State Road Race Championships, and Ohio Cyclocross Championship and an eighth-place finish in the 2012 Tour de Grandview. He hopes to trump this result with an even better placing this year.
Freter explains that cycling runs in the family.
“I grew up with my dad doing local races and working in local bike shops,” he says in a press release. “When I was younger I spent a lot of time at the shop either just hanging out or doing little odd ball tasks to help out. When the shop was empty I would grab whatever bike I fit on and start doing hot laps around the shop.”
Freter grew up around bikes, but it wasn’t until he grew out of other sports and found his niche in cycling that he gained an interest that led him to compete.
“I was busy being a kid, playing soccer, skiing, running cross country, and even giving wrestling a shot,” he says. “After a couple injuries and burnout, most of those sports fell away and my bike got my newly found free time. It wasn’t until I made a friend in Brooke Crum, who introduced me to a group ride for younger cyclists that I started to actually become competitive. If it wasn’t for Brooke and a few of the people she introduced me to, I don’t know if I can honestly say I would be where I am today.”
“The Tour has a great reputation among top professional teams and riders,” says event promoter Andys Burns in a press release. “Having riders like Jonathan and teams like Jelly Belly here this year is certainly a testament to that.”
Freter will be competing in the 21st annual Tour de Grandview, presented by Lindsay Acura/Honda, Friday, June 27.
Friday’s races will feature professional men and women, as well as top amateur riders, in races ranging from 15 to 30 miles. 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.
In addition, there will also be a Kids’ Sprints competition along First Avenue, as well as a Charity Lap to raise funds for Pelotonia.
To add a festive and fun feel to the event, the annual Street Party will be happening around the races, which will feature the music of Agent 99, food vendors and craft beers provided by The Ohio Taproom. Events are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and will run throughout the evening.
To register, view a schedule of events or more information, visit www.tourdegrandview.com.
June 25, 2014: Internationally known Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic draws local rider back home
