America Tour to Kickoff at the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic
Men’s UCI America Tour to Kickoff the Professional Racing at the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic
Twenty-four professional men’s cycling teams will line up at 8:00 am on June 7th for the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic. They will race over 110-miles (173 km) and complete 9 laps of the course with a spectacular finish at the top of The Wall. The one-day competition is a dynamic and selective course best known for the intense elevation on the Manayunk Wall, the most historical climb in U.S. cycling history.
“Philly is hands down one of my favorite races of the year,” said Kiel Reijnen of UnitedHealthcare, champion of the 2013 & 2014 Philadelphia Cycling Classic. “The fans, the city, and the course all make it one of the most special races on the calendar. Returning to attempt a 3rd win on the infamous Manayunk Wall will be a challenge but one myself and the team are looking forward to. Philly is an iconic American race and to have my name in the record books would be a great honor.”
Teams from Australia, Spain, and Denmark will also line up at the start this year, including team Trefor-Blue Water Shipping with team member Alex Rasmussen, the 2011 winner of the Philadelphia International Championship and former UCI Track Cycling World Champion for the Men’s Scratch. In addition to UnitedHealthcare, returning U.S. teams include SmartStop, Team NovoNordisk, and the Hincapie Racing Team, with team member Robin Carpenter of Manayunk.
“I’m always excited for this race, and this year I’m making it more of priority on my racing calendar than in years past,” shared Carpenter. “I think that the finish in Manayunk really highlights the relationship between the neighborhood and the race; both have grown together and the race has really played a big part in the development of Manayunk and its culture. “
The full list of men’s teams that will race June 7 includes:
• Airgas SAFEWAY – USA
• AMORE & VITA Selle SMP – Ukraine
• Astellas Cycling Team – USA
• Caja Rural – Seguros RGA – Spain
• Champion System – Stan’s NoTubes – USA
• Drapac Professional Cycling – Australia
• Garneau – Quebecor – Canada
• H&R Block Pro Cycling Team – Canada
• Hincapie Racing Team – USA
• In Cycle Cannondale – Puerto Rico
• IRT Racing – USA
• Jamis – Haagens Berman p/b Sutter Home – USA
• Jelly Belly Cycling Team p/b MAXXIS – USA
• Jet Fuel Cycling – Canada
• Lupus Racing Team – USA
• Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies – USA
• Ride with Rendall – Canada
• Silber Pro Cycling – Canada
• Team Budget Forklifts – Australia
• Team Novo Nordisk – USA
• Team SmartStop – USA
• Team Trefor-Blue Water – Denmark
• UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling – USA
• Velo Select Racing Team – Canada
Following the men’s race, the UCI Women’s Road World Cup begins at 12:30 pm at the top of the Manayunk Wall. They will race a grueling 6 laps and over 73-miles (115 km), battling for Queen of the Mountain (QOM) on Lemon Hill and the Manayunk Wall with a Sprint Zone along Kelly Drive. The women’s and men’s races will be available online via live stream throughout the day on philadelphiainternationalcyclingclassic.com.
In addition to the pro races, the weekend will feature various community events, beginning the day with the Bicycling Open, an amateur ride on the pro course. All day events include, an expo in Roxborough, and community festivities in Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls, and on Lemon Hill, featuring a fun atmosphere, bicycle raffles, and great vantage points to view the race and cheer for the pros.
The event organizers are also pleased to announce Colonial Hyundai as the official car sponsor of the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic and Roxborough Memorial as the official hospital.
About the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic
The Philadelphia International Cycling Classic is a dynamic and selective 12.3-mile circuit looping through some of Philadelphia’s favorite neighborhoods. It features a women’s UCI Road World Cup event and a men’s UCI 1.2 level race, challenging some of the world’s top professional cycling teams to climb the Manayunk Wall, the most historical climb in U.S. cycling history. The Philadelphia International Cycling Classic will once again award equal prize money for KOM, QOM, Best Sprinters, Best Young Riders, and the overall winners in each race. 2015 marks thirty years of professional cycling in the City of Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.philadelphiainternationalcyclingclassic.com.
Comments are closed.