The Philadelphia Cycling Classic, or simply Philly, is a bike race measured in memories.
After a decade away, one of American cycling’s most storied one-day races returns to the streets of Philadelphia on August 30, bringing the women’s peloton back to a course that has tested generations of champions.
The women’s race arrived in 1994 under the Liberty Classic name, quickly establishing its own impressive history. Past podium finishers include our own athletes Joëlle Numainville in 2013 and Lauren Hall in 2014, with our very own Giorgia Bronzini winning in 2011.
The best way to relive the atmosphere of the race is through Creative Director Sam Wiebe’s photo essay for Outside. Captured in 2016, the images take you into the fabric of the city and the event.
Ten years on, the comeback carries an opportunity to write a new chapter in the story of Stateside racing for the team. Canadian champion Maggie Coles-Lyster leads a six-rider squad alongside Kathrin Schweinberger, Marit Raaijmakers, Jente Koops, Giada Borghesi and Silvia Zanardi.
On a diverse parcours, that includes the 17% Manuayak Wall, the key will be making the right decisions as the race evolves. With four laps, there is time to learn the course, but when the racing gets going, it will be all-action. Bunch sprints, small groups, solo breaks, the race has been won in all manner of ways, and it will be fascinating to see what the new generation will bring.
The course
The women will race four laps of a 14.4-mile (23-kilometre) circuit for a total of 100 kilometres, beginning and ending on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The route is a showcase of the city itself, the Parkway gives way to the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park before the peloton heads into Manayunk, where the race’s personality changes dramatically.
The crowds will add another dimension. Philadelphia has always embraced this race with an intensity that makes the Manayunk Wall famous. The streets become a wall of noise, color and cycling culture, with spectators lining the circuit and especially packing the climb.
The Manayunk Wall
Main Street leads the riders toward the most famous feature of the course, the Manayunk Wall.
The climb pitches up to 17% and is short enough to encourage repeated efforts, but severe enough to punish the smallest mistake. The approach matters almost as much as the climb itself, with narrow, twisting streets in Manayunk creating a frantic battle for position before the road rises sharply.
After cresting the climb, the riders move through Roxborough before descending toward Kelly Drive. Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill follow, with the latter offering another opportunity to put pressure on tired legs before the course swings back toward the Parkway and the finish.
How to watch
USA
Racing from 8:30 am – 11:30 am EDT / 7:30 am – 10:30 am CDT / 6:30 am – 9:30 am MDT / 5:30 am – 8:30 am PDT
6abc is the exclusive home of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Fans can watch live race coverage in the following ways:
– 6abc.com
– The 6abc App
– Hulu
– Disney+
– Anywhere you stream 6abc
– 6abc’s official YouTube livestream
International
Racing from 14:30 – 17:30 CET / 13:30 – 16:30 CET BST
International viewers can stream the race live on 6abc.com or YouTube.
Photos: SWPix.com, Philadelphia Cycling Classic
