Phinney may mark return in Univest GP

American Taylor Phinney may return to competition at next weekend's Univest Grand Prix, the race organisation announced this week. The pursuit World Champion and winner of the U23 Paris-Roubaix was injured in a brutal crash at the Cascade Classic last month which left him with a severe concussion.

His Trek-Livestrong team director, Axel Merckx, submitted Phinney's name as part of the team's start list, but the rider will have to get a final approval from his doctors before starting.

The event expanded this year to a two-day UCI stage race after organisers added a team time trial to the weekend. Set for Friday, September 11, the 3.8 mile event will be hotly contested between the top teams, which include the Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin U23 Team, Planet Energy, Tecos-Trek as well as teams from Italy and Sweden.

Italy's Amore & Vita is sponsored by Detweiler Hershey & Associates will be led by Ukraine's Yuri Metlushenko, winner of the 2008 Univest Criterium in Doylestown.

Johan Lindgren leads Team Cykelcity of Sweden, sponsored by the law firm of Klehr Harrison. The powerful Swedes took the overall victory and and three out of the four special classifications in 2008.

Top North American teams round out the roster, with Jet Fuel Coffee and Mazur Coaching/Bikyle of Canada and U.S. favorites Kelly Benefits Strategies, OUCH p/b Maxxis and Kenda Pro Cycling all providing additional horsepower to the event.