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Philadelphia International Championship 2010

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Welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the Philadelphia International and Liberty Classic. The men and women race at the same time today, so we will do our best to bring you the action of both races.

The men's race saw a first lap attack, Bernard Colex Tepoz (Mex) of Amore e Vita, and Will Routley of Jelly Belly were the first aggressors. They had a small gap heading into the first KOM on Manayunk wall. Colex took the sprint at the top, Routley held on for second and they were joined over the top by Nick Waited (Kenda).

In the women's race, there was also a first lap attack. Rachel Warner (BMW-Bianchi) and Alaina Gurski (CAWES) rolled off the front but were brought back before Manayunk. On the climb, Mara Abbott (Peanut Butter & CO 2012), Ruth Corset (Tibco) and Evie Stevens (HTC Columbia) attacked and were joined by Cath Cheatley (Colavita-Baci).

211km remaining from 251km

So correction to the first lap of the men's race, the three leaders were caught on the fall from the Manayunk wall, and a big group split off of the peloton on the return trip on Kelly Drive. There are about 39 riders in this group and they're heading out to Manayunk for the second time up.

It's a very hot and muggy day here in Philadelphia. The weather forecasters were predicting storms this morning but they haven't materialized yet. There were lots of bags of ice and bottles of water being packed into the team cars at the start. So far it's sunny but there's a stiff wind in the riders faces as they head back to the start/finish. However, it will be a tailwind sprint to the line today.

In the women's race, we are back at the end of the first circuit and there was a split of 8 riders off the front, but a couple of the riders touched wheels and crashed. We'll try to get more information for you on that. We're also working on the composition of that large break in the men's race.

The men have made it up the Manayunk wall for the second time, and once again it's Nick Waite of Kenda who takes the points at the top - this time followed by Matt Cooke (Mtn Khakis) and Dan Bowman (Kelly Benefit Strategies).

In the women's race, an attack went after the end of the first lap from that break of 8. Moriah MacGregor (Specialized D4W) was the sole survivor while the rest of the riders returned to the field.  She's now at mile 20 heading into Manayunk for the second time, stretched out over her bars in a full on time trial position. She's a good time trialist from Canada, and at 36 has a lot of experience.

We have an attack in the men's race! Mike Friedman (Jelly Belly) has exploded out of this leading group heading back on Kelly Drive heading into Lemon Hill.

The men are heading back through the feed zone area near the famous Art Museum steps shown in the Rocky film.  Friedman is our Rocky of the day - he took the KOM points on Lemon Hill ahead of Colex and Nathan O'neill (Bahati Foundation) before being swallowed up by the leading group.

191km remaining from 251km

It's really breezy for our riders today - the women are fighting for shelter as they head across the small hill at Strawberry Mansion. They're pushed all the way to the right side of the road. They're all back together now.

The attack has grown to 11 riders in the men's race. They are entering Manayunk, and now the field is approaching the big lead group, 20 seconds behind. It looks like the race could come all back together on the Wall.

The men's field actually split up a bit on the way into the wall at Manayunk for the third trip. The lead group is now 12 strong with one rider attacking the climb. The big chase group is 35 seconds back while the peloton is still lurking at 55 seconds. Still plenty of time to come back together.

182km remaining from 251km

The men's peloton is past Strawberry Mansions and heading down Kelly toward Lemon Hill. The field stopped for a mass nature break so the gap to the leading groups has gone out a bit.

The hot, humid weather is definitely affecting how the women are racing. Anne Samplonius of Vera Bradley commented to Kirsten Robbins this morning, "I guess I can't go in my usual early break for 100km because the race isn't long enough! Carla Swart is our dark horse. She is a great sprinter who can get over the climbs and had a great Tour de l'Aude."

We've got the composition of the group chasing Nathan O'Neill now: It's Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Chris Barton and Chad Beyer (BMC Racing Team), Bernardo Colex Tepoz (Amore & Vita - Conad), Jason Donald, Cesar Augusto Grajales and Bobby Lea (Bahati Foundation), Hayden Brooks (Fly V Australia), James Driscoll and Andres Pereyra (Jamis - Sutter Home), Kiel Reijnen and Will Routley (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda), Alex Candelario and David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit Strategies), Nick Waite (Kenda p/b Gear Grinder), Bruno Langlois (Spidertech powered by Planet Energy), Jonathan Clarke (Unitedhealthcare p/b Maxxis), Taylor Shelden (US National Team).

173km remaining from 251km

There are huge crowds gathering on the wall today, despite the raging heat. The women are taking a more leisurely pace up the climb this time, with Corset having basically sewn up the KOM competition.

171km remaining from 251km

After all of Webcor's efforts to break this up, Erinne Willock (Webcor) has finally broken the elastic and gone solo.

The men's leading group stayed together up the Wall - facing the roar of huge crowds already lit up with beer at 11am. Huge crazy, raucous crowds lining the road on the climb and descent. It's deafening! 

In the women's race, Willock is still holding a 35 second lead over the HTC-Columbia and Peanut Butter & Co-led peloton as she heads around Logan Circle toward the start of the final lap. She took the KOM points at Lemon Hill ahead of Corset and Kim Anderson (HTC-Columbia).

The men's break is now working better together - now that it's down to less than 20. They're heading through the Strawberry Mansions climb at mile 58.5.

Willock is looking strong and smooth in this solo breakaway. She's in the drops hammering past the boat houses on the Schuykill river and beyond. Underneath the stone bridges that tower over the riders and past plenty of fans lining Kelly Drive. She could be a real threat, and if she does stay away it will be the first time since her fellow Canadian Lyne Bessette escaped on Lemon Hill in 2003 that the race would end in a breakaway.

Correction to the wind direction - Willock is fighting the headwind with aplomb heading down through downtown Manayunk, the men going in the opposite direction on the other end of the course are being pushed along by a tailwind.

HTC-Columbia has the pedal to the metal on the front of the women's peloton and Willock only has 45 seconds as she heads into the heart of downtown Manayunk, preparing to make the turn to the wall. 

Willock is losing ground heading into the wall, down to just 30 seconds now as she goes up and the peloton speeds through the false flat into town.

Willock is fighting to hold on up the climb, but the field is being led by the Peanut Butter & Co. team and are hot on her heels. She's going to be caught before the top after her mammoth effort.

144km remaining from 251km

The women pass the men on Kelly Drive, but have no time for greetings. The race for the women is in its closing kilometres and there are a lot of attacks. Peanut Butter & Co launches one while HTC-Columbia works to hold the group together. There is a second peloton at 25 seconds.

The women's leaders are now on the Strawberry Mansions climb, and Ruth Corset - our KOM leader - has launched a move. Anderson of HTC-Columbia is the one who has to chase. She's a loyal worker for Teutenberg. They should be seeing 10km to go soon.

The front group of the women's race has come back together, but the pressure is still on - we're still seeing plenty of activity and HTC-Columbia is still doing a very good job of keeping the race together. But is Cliff-Ryan there? Miller? Evans? We're trying to get some numbers for you....

1km to go for the KOM on Lemon Hill for the women - the lead group has started to play a bit of cat and mouse - who will go next?

We'll focus on the women now for their finish - just 3km to go - Corset attacked on Lemon Hill but the group came back together on the return to the finish.

2km to go now for the women and it looks like all of the big teams are represented in this split.

The women are heading into the circle and HTC-Columbia has a three-rider lead-out for Teutenberg. We can see some Vera Bradley, Tibco, Peanut Butter & Co and Colavita are all in there.

The finish to this race is tricky - the 1km to go is inside the circle and is followed by a slight turn - so the inside line becomes the outside line. The women are heading into the sprint!

HTC-Columbia executes a picture perfect lead-out and delivers Ina Teutenberg to her 4th title in Philadelphia! Shelley Evans (Peanut Butter & Co.) was second over Cliff-Ryan (Colavita-Baci), Brooke Miller (TIBCO) and Trixi Worrack (Noris).

Teutenberg knows the sprint in Philadelphia better than anyone else. She's done this race at least 6 times and finished on the podium each time. Plus, having a tremendous amount of power doesn't hurt and the confidence that came from her wins in Europe prior to this race also boosted her confidence.

131km remaining from 251km

The lead breakaway is heading back toward the end of lap 5 after Grajales took the Lemon Hill KOM. Andres Pereyra (Jamis - Sutter Home) was second and Colex third.

126km remaining from 251km

The riders might want to consider picking up the pace today. The hot, muggy air is a symptom of "unstable" weather conditions. There is a tornado watch in effect over the entire area until 8pm tonight! Storms are supposed to start coming in early afternoon - hopefully after the riders have finished this race.

118km remaining from 251km

Taylor Sheldon is drawing huge chants of "USA! USA!" from the crowds on the wall - he's in the national team kit and the stars and strips has whipped this patriotic crowd into a frenzy.

The break is passing by the Falls Bridge heading back down Kelly Drive. O'Neill is now gone from this group which is 17-strong at the moment. The peloton has closed to 3:35, however.

107km remaining from 251km

Oss must have gotten his bottle quickly and felt very refreshed by the cold drink, because he took second on the top of Lemon Hill behind Grajales. Pereyra added to his tally in third. Jason Donald (Bahati) came unhitched on the climb and is in the cars.

101km remaining from 251km

97km remaining from 251km

Luis Romero Amaran (Jamis - Sutter Home) attacks to try and get up to Routley, but only gets about 10 seconds ahead of the chasing bunch before being pulled back in. Routley still has 30 seconds over the group.

Routley now has 45 seconds on the first chasing group - and he's heading up the Manayunk wall which has been whipped up to a feverish pitch by the race action. The field is lagging well behind at 5:15

You'd think this was the Stanley Cup playoffs and a bench clearing brawl has broken out - the crowd on Manayunk are just insane! Routley is lifted by the cheers over the top, but the noise has the opposite effect on Hayden Brooks (Fly V Australia) and Routley's teammate Kiel Reijnen who are both dropped out the back.

Jelly Belly's Mike Friedman told Peter Hymas this morning that if a break is going to go to the line it will be this year.  Only a few teams have full rosters and his team is not here to be pack-fill. They're here to race and have already shown it. He said this is his favorite race and he'd really like to win.

The break was split in half on the wall, we'll see if they are able to regroup. At 16 riders, the break is still pretty big if it wants to stay clear. There isn't full cooperation and even though the peloton is over five minutes behind they still have 100km to cover.

The break is at Strawberry Mansion, and is still split in two: we have Routely, then 7 riders then 8 remaining ahead of the peloton. In the break, BMC only has Chad Beyer. He's likely sitting in waiting to see if it will come back together  - his team has John Murphy and Alexander Kristoff - the rider who took 3rd to Mark Cavendish in the first stage of Tour of California. He's pretty fast and told Cyclingnews he's hoping to survive the wall and be able to sprint.

82km remaining from 251km

The leaders are heading back out for their 8th big lap - they'll have three small laps including the climb of Lemon Hill after they complete their 10th big lap. So that means the fans at Manayunk Wall have only three more opportunities to see the riders before they blast through those short closing circuits.

It looks as if the riders today will avoid the severe weather that caused deadly tornadoes in Ohio to the west.  The sun is peaking out through high clouds making it even hotter than it already was.

73km remaining from 251km

Our concerns for Routley are equalled by the Jelly Belly team, and they've managed to convince the judges to let them forward to feed their rider before he hits the Manayunk wall for the 8th time today. They're heading through a very crowded downtown Manayunk to loud cheers. The chasers, still working together, are closing in.

Routley is heading up the wall through a seething mass of humanity bellowing out one great roar. He's out of the saddle and pounding on the pedals to propel himself foward and over the top.

The first chase is bombing the descent from the wall - it twists and turns down the city streets, riders nearly catching air over the raised manhole covers and dips and bumps of the crossing streets. It's not a ride for the timid, that's for sure. Chris Jones is fine with it and heads back to the Team Type 1 car to feed.

63km remaining from 251km

55km remaining from 251km

The chase most certainly is ON in the field! The first group behind Routley was at 1:10 as they passed the boat houses along the Schuykill river, while the peloton was at 2:35 and strung out single file as they hurtled down Kelly Drive.

Bruno Langlois (Spidertech powered by Planet Energy) attacked that first chase group in a desperate bid to have some camera time before being brought back. The gap is starting to fall dramatically now as the team cars are called out from the gap between this chase and the field - that means there is less than one minute between the seven-man chase and the main peloton.

50km remaining from 251km

The peloton can see that seven-man chase group as they head down Kelly Drive toward Manayunk for the 9th trip up the wall. Still 1:20 to Routley but the chase of seven only has 30 seconds on the field.

Peloton, meet chase group. Chase group, meet Mr. Peloton. It's a distant greeting on the streets of downtown Manayunk, but the two are bounding toward an intimate embrace momentarily.

46km remaining from 251km

The leader has crested the wall, Routley still staying clear of the now intact peloton over the top and onto the fall from the wall.

Routley is heading back down Kelly Drive after the descent, in the drops and looking determined. But the field is closing in fast. They've managed to bring the gap to him down to just 25 seconds!

Routley is coming off Strawberry Mansion and is being chased by four riders. The field is actually at 1:20, it was this small chase group that was at 25 seconds. Those chasers include Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto), Christopher Jones (Team Type 1) and Cesar Grajales (Bahati Foundation).

Routley still has a slim lead over his four chasers and the wind is starting to really whip now. He's finishing the 9th big lap, heading out for one last big one - last time up Manayunk.

Routley is pedaling squares as they say - he's losing ground to this strong chase group. The Kelly Benefit rider has made it up to the first chasing group, but there are still several riders chasing to get to that now five-man group.

The wind is blowing strong now, gusts are threatening to blow down barricades and the skies are growing darker. The weatherman is still saying tornadoes are a possibility, but storms are a probability any moment!

Routley has been caught by the chasing four, but now another four-man chase has formed behind them. Our two groups are now: Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto), Cesar Augusto Grajales (Bahati Foundation), Will Routley (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda) and Christopher Jones (Team Type 1)

26km remaining from 251km

The lead group is now intact, all 9 riders together over a minute ahead of the peloton. They've past the Falls Bridge and will be heading into the Manayunk frenzy soon.

The lead group is now in downtown Manayunk and it's as if the tornado has already gotten here: the roar is deafening on Main Street and we haven't even gotten to the wall yet. Gaps are holding steady for the moment, but these 9 will need far more than a minute if they hope to stay clear on the small laps.

Back in the field it appears that UnitedHealthcare has taken control of the pace making. They've got Karl "Ten" Menzies who has the strength of ten men, and also Rory Sutherland who placed well in Tour of California. Not exactly his kind of race, he said, but he'd give it a go. Jake Keough is also a quick one...

The break is on the wall, Oss is leading up the wall as the break is single file. The field is making the turn at the bottom ready to begin the ascent for the final trip up Manayunk wall.

The field is just one minute behind the leaders and it is looking like we've got a bunch sprint in the making here. The fans are getting the last of their ya-ya's out on those cowbells, the hammers might just fall out the way their shaking them. It's pure mayhem on the wall for this last visit from the pro peloton - then once it's done the real partying can commence!

Routley took the sprint at the top - can't believe he had enough energy to do it. He's broken up the front group of nine, only four men chasing within any distance at the moment: Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto), Serhy Grechyn (Amore & Vita - Conad) and Ryan Roth (Spidertech powered by Planet Energy).
 

Correction - the four riders are the leaders, Routley is hurting as we can expect and chasing with Caleb Fairly (USA) behind the group of Oss.

Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto), Serhy Grechyn (Amore & Vita - Conad) and Ryan Roth (Spidertech powered by Planet Energy) are in the lead as they pass Strawberry Mansions, halfway down to the closing small loops. Less than a minute to the peloton - looks like it will come together somewhere on the small laps.

The first chase, Jackson Stewart (BMC Racing Team), Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Christopher Jones (Team Type 1), are losing ground now as they battle increasinly gusty winds. So far no rain though - let's hope it holds off just a little while longer.

11km remaining from 251km

In 2005, Chris Wherry took the win from a three-man move: let's see what these four can do. They're on Lemon Hill and Oss is sitting on - waiting to bring it back together with Peter Sagan and Francesco Chicchi both contenders for the sprint.

KOM on lap 10 at Lemon HIll: 
Serhy Grechyn (Amore & Vita - Conad)
Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto)
Ryan Roth (Spidertech powered by Planet Energy)

The leaders make the big loop around Logan Circle and head toward the finish - the pack is chasing with Jamis and UHC with several guys stringing the bunch out single file.

The Bissell team hits the front with 3 laps to go, Peter Sagan is sitting in 10th wheel behind 2 teammates and this peloton is tiny - just 30 or so guys left in the race.

Oss is now driving the pace up Lemon Hill and takes the top, and is now heading back down to the start. The field is close behind, maybe 35 seconds.

KOM: Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo)
Ermanno Capelli (Footon-Servetto)
Serhy Grechyn (Amore & Vita - Conad)

The field is at just 36 seconds now, being led by Oss, passing the peloton as they come in on the other side of the feed zone.

Liquigas is patrolling the front and Jamis is trying to reassert themselves on the front.

The break is going around Logan Circle, still rotating smoothly but only have about 25 seconds and Liquigas is definitely trying to block any chase. They believe in Oss. It's really windy, and picking up into a wicked headwind finish.

Capelli is now pulling on the front as they go out for 2 laps to go. The field is coming into the finishing straight now.

HTC-Columbia is now contributing to the chase, so the gap is do-able for the lead four but it will be a fight. 20 seconds isn't a lot with this little left.

The leaders are heading past the famous Rocky art museum steps and out on two to go. The field is so small that not so many riders of each team can chase at once. Liquigas is still marking any chase.

Oss is just drilling it up Lemon Hill, breaking up the break a little, crests and takes the points and now he leads on the descent.

The gap has gone out to 30 seconds now - good news for the four leaders. Perhaps having two strong Liquigas men still in the field has deterred any chase - who wants to bring Sagan to the line? Or Chicchi?

7km remaining from 251km

It's do or die now for HTC: they really need to close down this gap but the four men out front have a different idea.

5km remaining from 251km

Oss is still driving the breakaway, the field just 10 seconds behind! Jamis is on the front for Borrajo.

Menzies isn't the man for United Healthcare. He's been dropped. The gaps are forming in the bunch but the gap to the leaders is also falling quickly.

It's touch and go for the break. The leaders are heading past the feed zone and out for their final lap. They've got one trip up Lemon Hill, a quick descent and that long, torturous run-in to the finish.

The field has them in their sights. They're heading toward the start of Lemon HIll and it's pure agony all around. It will be a bunch sprint? But no! Oss attacks!

Oss leaves his former companions to be caught and opens up 5 seconds - descending down to Kelly Drive.

He is head-down drilling it, no looking back. Two riders are trying to bridge.  Oss attacks again and is closed down.

2km remaining from 251km

Jamis is trying to come up the outside - Agnoli and Caleb Fairly were the riders who tried to get away, but are caught.

On the bottom of Logan Circle, single file. It's Liquigas in front!

On the final straightaway and it's still Liquigas and they're getting swarmed.

It's a tornado of riders in the front!

It's fanned out - and HTC-Columbia hits the front !

And it's Matthew Goss who gets the win over Peter Sagan! Brilliantly timed sprint by the Aussie!

Alexander Kristoff of BMC takes third!

That was a whirlwind of a finish most definitely! The riders hit the line just in time to beat the rain.

Final results:
1 Matthew Goss (Aus) HTC-Columbia
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Doimo
3 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing Team
 

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