Yesterday was the 24th Philadelphia International Championship. It was HOT! I mean, 96 degrees out there. The sun was intense. I was sweating like crazy, and I was just standing around watching the race. I can't imagine what it would have been like to race 156 miles yesterday.
However, despite the heat, it was a world-class event as usual. The crowds were less than usual, most likely because of the weather, but they were still huge. Philadelphia loves bike racing and I think everyone in the area who has even a slight interest in cycling comes out to watch.Since it was so hot, I was expecting the race to unfold like it did a few years ago in similar conditions. In 2005, a 3-man breakaway with Chris Wherry, Danny Pate, and Chris Horner got away on the last climb of the Manayunk Wall and held it to the finish. Yesterday, breaks kept going and then getting caught all day long, and it finally came down to a field sprint with Matti Breschel winning. I was happy to see Fred Rodriguez get 3rd since he has won here in the past.
In the women's Liberty Classic, a solo breakaway managed to get away; Chantal Beltman won the race.
If you go to watch next year, the best place to eat is at the snack bar at Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. They have excellent food for a great price, and you're right on the race course!
