The 25^th running of the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship is filled with memories.  Jerry Casale, who helped found the race with David Chauner, remembers the day a tree fell across the race course just after the riders passed.  With no time to call a tree surgeon, Jerry enlisted the aid of the spectators who all pulled together and moved the massive tree off of the course… just in time for the next lap.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 4, 2009) – Philadelphia-based Advanced Sports, Inc. (ASI) owns four bicycles brands. Of those brands, Fuji & Kestrel bikes will be ridden by a total of five professional teams competing at the 25^th Annual TD Bank Philadelphia International Pro Cycling Championships. On the men’s side, Spanish-based team Fuji-Servetto and Austria-based team Elk Haus will be aboard Fuji race bikes. Two women’s teams will also ride Fujis including Germany’s Equipe Nurnberger and New Zealand-based Jazz Apple. U.S.-based men’s team Rock Racing will be aboard ASI’s Kestrel brand bicycles.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 4, 2009) – One of the most exciting bicycle teams in the country, Rock Racing, will visit Deptford’s Peddler’s Shop for a meet and greet session and group bike ride, Friday, June 5th starting at 11am.  

Rock Racing, a U.S.-based professional cycling team, is one of the most notable teams competing in Sunday’s Philadelphia International Championship. The team which is sponsored by Philadelphia-based bicycle manufacturer, Kestrel, boasts top rider Freddy Rodriguez who is the former U.S. Professional Champion. “Fast Freddy” is one of the fastest sprinters in the country and will be one of the riders to watch toward the end of the 156-mile race. Other Rock Racing riders include Nic Sanderson, David Vitoria, Jamey Driscoll and David Tanner.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 28, 2009) – One of the most elite bicycle teams in the world, Fuji-Servetto, will visit Philadelphia’s Cadence Cycling Foundation (CCF), a non-profit created to introduce competitive cycling to Philadelphia-area youth on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 2pm.

Philadelphia International Championship

2008 Matti Breschel (DEN) CSC 6:14:47

2007 Juan-Jose Haedo (ARG) CSC 5:45:51

2006 Greg Henderson (NZL) Health Net – Maxxis 6.13.53

• Spectator estimates were 50,000 in 1985 and over 300,000 today.

• The average speed of the riders is approximately 25 miles per hour for the entire 156 mile race.

• A rider’s average speed up the wall is 8 to 18 miles per hour, depending upon the rider, which lap, and what their role is on the team.

ATTACK — A sudden attempt to get away from another rider.

BLOCKING — When a rider tries to get in the way of other riders, usually done as part of a team strategy to slow down the main field when other team members are ahead in a breakaway.

BONK — Known as “hitting the wall” in marathon running, this is when a rider completely runs out of energy.

Schedule of Story Opportunities:

WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY, June 3 or 4, 2009

• Learn what the pros know about beating the Manayunk Wall. How do you train for lap after lap up a grueling 17% grade, especially when you’re starting from a nearly complete stop? What’s it like to ride through Manayunk with the crowds going crazy?

• Plus, area amateur cyclists can test their own grit on the same course that the pros will ride by registering for the Philly Fun Ride – get tips on how to make it the ride of your life!