The North Star Bicycle Festival announced Friday that it's a go for this year after lining up six new sponsors for its race series and open ride.

The festival said earlier that the 17th running of the bike racing series was threatened by a $60,000 funding gap, which spokeswoman Jean Freidl said has not yet entirely been closed. The event was formerly known as Nature Valley Grand Prix, but is in its second year under the new name.

The event, which said it attracts about 50,000 spectators, opens on June 13 with a ride with distances of 35, 65 and 100 miles that's open to the public. It will cover terrain around Prescott, Wis.

The professional racing events, part of US Cycling's national racing calendar, open June 17 with a time trial in St. Paul, followed on successive days by a road race in Cannon Fall, a criterium in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, a road rce in Menomonie, Wis., and a criterium featuring a hill climb in Stillwater.

More information is available at www.northstarbicyclefestival.com