Philadelphia International Championship
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia International Championship is an annual bicycle race
held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It is described as "America's top international cycling classic, and one of the richest and most prestigious one day races outside of Europe." It is one of the longest single-day races in the U.S. at 251 kilometres (156 mi). The men's event is ranked 1.HC by the International Cycling Union
(UCI), the sport's governing body, which makes it the highest ranking single-day race in the Western Hemisphere. It is part of the UCI America Tour.
The race has existed since 1985, but its name has changed a number of times, because of the changing of names of its corporate sponsors, due to bank mergers and acquisitions. The title sponsor was originally CoreStates
Bank, followed by First Union Bank in 1998, then Wachovia
Bank in 2002. In November 2005, Wachovia withdrew its sponsorship. With assistance from former Philadelphia mayor and then-Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell
, a corporate sponsor was found in 2006; Commerce Bank
made a four-year commitment. Due to its acquisition by Toronto-Dominion Bank in 2007, Commerce Bank became TD Bank in 2008.
The Philadelphia International Championship has become the final leg of a one-week, 3-race circuit called the TD Bank Triple Crown of Cycling. The races take place in Lancaster
, Reading
and Philadelphia. The opening race is the Lancaster Classic
, followed four days later by the Reading Classic
, with the finale in Philadelphia three days after that.
Through 2005, the highest placed finisher registered in the United States was named the USPRO champion, whether or not he won the race. The race was often called the USPRO Championship; however, USA Cycling
, the national governing body, stripped the Philadelphia race of the USPRO title, wanting to limit the race to Americans. Local organizers insisted the field remain open .
There is a men's and a women's race, the latter called the Liberty Classic
. The ten-lap men's race consists of a three-lap 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) opening circuit, followed by ten 23.2 km (14.4 mi) laps of the primary circuit, then a three-lap 4.8 km closing circuit. The total distance is 251 km (156 mi). The women's race is on the same course but starts later and is shorter: 4 laps of the primary circuit for 92.7 km (57.6 mi).
The race starts at the Philadelphia Art Museum and then heads into the northwest section of the city
, through East Falls
, Manayunk
, and Roxborough
, then return to the museum to complete its loop, passing parts of Fairmount Park
along the way.
Top cyclists who have participated include Eric Heiden
, who won the race in 1985, Greg LeMond
, and Lance Armstrong
, who started his professional career when he won the race in 1993.
Manayunk Wall
In bicycling terminology
, a "wall" is a steep incline. The Manayunk Wall, located by Jerry Casale and David Chauner when they were laying out the course in 1985, refers to Levering Street and Lyceum Avenue in northwest Philadelphia. It begins at Main Street and Levering Street in the neighborhood of Manayunk, proceeds on the well-worn cobblestone Cresson Street under the elevated railway, then back on to Levering Street.
Most of the Wall is part of Levering Street, but it becomes Lyceum Avenue at Tower Street (at N40 01.631 W75 13.313). The steepest section, a 17-percent grade, commences just after the slight left turn when going up at the intersection with Tower Street (N40 01.652 W75 13.277), and ends at the intersection with Fleming street (N40 01.726 W75 13.226). It becomes less steep on the stretch with O'Brien's as it crosses Manayunk Avenue. It nearly flattens and ends at Pechin Street in Roxborough, which most news crews set up for broadcasting. The right turn off Lyceum Avenue onto Pechin Street (N40 01.847 W75 13.069) begins The Fall from the Wall. Manayunk Avenue is the boundary of Manayunk and Roxborough.
O'Brien's Water Hole along the wall sets up a water sprinkler for cyclists to ride through. In early years, no one seemed to mind but as the race became more important, it was criticised as a distraction and reduced.
On June 5, 2002, Manayunk designated the 17-percent grade as the Manayunk Wall. Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein presented a plaque, .
On September 6, 2008 the Red Bull
Soapbox Race was held at the Manayunk Wall.
Bicycle Race
"Bicycle Race" is a single by the English rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album Jazz and written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. It was released as a double A-side single together with the song "Fat Bottomed Girls". The song is notable for its video featuring a bicycle race with...
held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. It is described as "America's top international cycling classic, and one of the richest and most prestigious one day races outside of Europe." It is one of the longest single-day races in the U.S. at 251 kilometres (156 mi). The men's event is ranked 1.HC by the International Cycling Union
Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....
(UCI), the sport's governing body, which makes it the highest ranking single-day race in the Western Hemisphere. It is part of the UCI America Tour.
The race has existed since 1985, but its name has changed a number of times, because of the changing of names of its corporate sponsors, due to bank mergers and acquisitions. The title sponsor was originally CoreStates
CoreStates
CoreStates Financial Corporation was a United States bank holding company in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area.The bank, previously known as PNB , was renamed in the mid-1980s after a series of mergers...
Bank, followed by First Union Bank in 1998, then Wachovia
Wachovia
Wachovia was a diversified financial services company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets...
Bank in 2002. In November 2005, Wachovia withdrew its sponsorship. With assistance from former Philadelphia mayor and then-Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell
Ed Rendell
Edward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
, a corporate sponsor was found in 2006; Commerce Bank
Commerce Bancorp
TD Bank, N.A., is a national banking institution in the United States which offers banking, insurance, brokerage, and investment banking services in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,...
made a four-year commitment. Due to its acquisition by Toronto-Dominion Bank in 2007, Commerce Bank became TD Bank in 2008.
The Philadelphia International Championship has become the final leg of a one-week, 3-race circuit called the TD Bank Triple Crown of Cycling. The races take place in Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, Reading
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
and Philadelphia. The opening race is the Lancaster Classic
Lancaster Classic
The Tom Bamford Lancaster Classic is a professional road bicycle racing event held each June since 1992 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. The Lancaster Classic is the first leg of the Pro Cycling Tour and the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling, which includes the Reading Classic and the...
, followed four days later by the Reading Classic
Reading Classic
The Reading Classic is an annual bicycle road racing event held in Reading, Pennsylvania. In its inaugural year, the 2006 Reading Classic was part of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling on the United States' Pro Cycling Tour . The men's elite event is ranked 1.1 by the International Cycling...
, with the finale in Philadelphia three days after that.
Through 2005, the highest placed finisher registered in the United States was named the USPRO champion, whether or not he won the race. The race was often called the USPRO Championship; however, USA Cycling
USA Cycling
USA Cycling or USAC, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States. It covers the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX and collegiate racing...
, the national governing body, stripped the Philadelphia race of the USPRO title, wanting to limit the race to Americans. Local organizers insisted the field remain open .
There is a men's and a women's race, the latter called the Liberty Classic
Liberty Classic
The Liberty Classic is an annual women's bicycle race held since 1994 simultaneously with the Philadelphia International Championship.The 57.6 mile race consists of four laps of a 14.4 mile circuit through Philadelphia with 5 climbs up the famous Manayunk Wall. The Liberty Classic is the final leg...
. The ten-lap men's race consists of a three-lap 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) opening circuit, followed by ten 23.2 km (14.4 mi) laps of the primary circuit, then a three-lap 4.8 km closing circuit. The total distance is 251 km (156 mi). The women's race is on the same course but starts later and is shorter: 4 laps of the primary circuit for 92.7 km (57.6 mi).
The race starts at the Philadelphia Art Museum and then heads into the northwest section of the city
Northwest Philadelphia
Northwest Philadelphia is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The official boundary is Stenton Avenue to the north, the Schuylkill river to the south, Spring Ln to the west, and Wister Street to the east. The area is divided by Wissahickon Creek into two subsections...
, through East Falls
East Falls, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
East Falls is a neighborhood in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. East Falls is located adjacent to Roxborough, Manayunk, and Germantown, and Fairmount Park. The neighborhood runs along a stretch of Ridge Avenue that is only a few miles long, along the banks of the...
, Manayunk
Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Manayunk is a neighborhood in the northwestern section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, it contains the first canal begun in the United States . The area's name comes from the language of the Lenape Indians...
, and Roxborough
Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roxborough is a neighborhood in the Northwest Philadelphia section of the United States city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is bordered to the southwest, along the Schuylkill River, by the neighborhood of Manayunk, along the northeast by the Wissahickon Creek section of Fairmount Park, and to...
, then return to the museum to complete its loop, passing parts of Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
along the way.
Top cyclists who have participated include Eric Heiden
Eric Heiden
Eric Arthur Heiden, M.D. is an American former long track speed skater and road cyclist who won all the men's speed skating races, and thus an unprecedented five individual gold medals, and set four Olympic records and one world record at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York,...
, who won the race in 1985, Greg LeMond
Greg LeMond
Gregory James LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States and a three-time winner of the Tour de France. He was born in Lakewood, California and raised in Reno, Nevada....
, and Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
, who started his professional career when he won the race in 1993.
Manayunk WallManayunk WallThe Manayunk Wall is an inclined street, comprising all of Levering Avenue and a few blocks of Lyceum Avenue, that is a part of the Philadelphia International Championship bicycle race in Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
In bicycling terminologyBicycling terminology
The following terminology is used in the general cycling, as well as the more specific sports of road bicycle racing and mountain bicycle racing.-A:...
, a "wall" is a steep incline. The Manayunk Wall, located by Jerry Casale and David Chauner when they were laying out the course in 1985, refers to Levering Street and Lyceum Avenue in northwest Philadelphia. It begins at Main Street and Levering Street in the neighborhood of Manayunk, proceeds on the well-worn cobblestone Cresson Street under the elevated railway, then back on to Levering Street.
Most of the Wall is part of Levering Street, but it becomes Lyceum Avenue at Tower Street (at N40 01.631 W75 13.313). The steepest section, a 17-percent grade, commences just after the slight left turn when going up at the intersection with Tower Street (N40 01.652 W75 13.277), and ends at the intersection with Fleming street (N40 01.726 W75 13.226). It becomes less steep on the stretch with O'Brien's as it crosses Manayunk Avenue. It nearly flattens and ends at Pechin Street in Roxborough, which most news crews set up for broadcasting. The right turn off Lyceum Avenue onto Pechin Street (N40 01.847 W75 13.069) begins The Fall from the Wall. Manayunk Avenue is the boundary of Manayunk and Roxborough.
O'Brien's Water Hole along the wall sets up a water sprinkler for cyclists to ride through. In early years, no one seemed to mind but as the race became more important, it was criticised as a distraction and reduced.
On June 5, 2002, Manayunk designated the 17-percent grade as the Manayunk Wall. Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein presented a plaque, .
Downhill Race
At midnight, the morning of the international championship, an unlicensed race down The Wall took place from 1996-2006. "The Downhill" was conceived at Dawson Street Pub. Racers gathered there to walk to The Wall. The race started at Manayunk Avenue and Lyceum Avenue and continued to the bottom of the hill or until where police blocked the street. The race included BMX bikes, tricycles, shopping carts, wheelchairs, skateboards, bed frames and roller skates. The event grew in popularity after being promoted on a radio station in 2003 and several thousand spectators attended in 2006. A young man was injured during the 2006 race when he was blindsided by another individual who was careening down the wall in a shopping cart. Police are generally credited to permanently stopping to the race.On September 6, 2008 the Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
Soapbox Race was held at the Manayunk Wall.
General classification
- Also served as USPRO Championships for USA riders up to 2005
VisitPA.com Best Climber’s Award
| YearR | Best Climber | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jittery Joe's Jittery Joe's Jittery Joe's is a chain of coffee houses based in Athens, Georgia. In 1994, the first Jittery Joe’s opened in downtown Athens, Georgia, near the famed 40 Watt Club. Open 24 hours a day, they offered fresh coffee roasted in-store. There are now five locations in Athens, two in Watkinsville, GA and... |
|
| 2008 | Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home Wines | |
| 2009 | Team Type 1 Team Type 1 Team Type 1 is a professional cycling team based in the United States of America. It was founded in 2004 and is sponsored by Colnago. The team promotes type 1 diabetes awareness in cycling: a number of the team's riders have type 1 diabetes, including Javier Mejías, Fabio Calabria and Martijn... |
See also
- Sports in Philadelphia #Cycling
- List of road bicycle racing events