On Thursday, June 5, more than 300 of the world's top men and women professional cyclists will descend on the streets of Reading to compete in the Commerce Bank Reading Classic.  For the third, consecutive year, the world’s eyes will be on the city and its demanding 7.6-mile circuit that connects Penn Street with Mt. Penn and is sure to push the international peloton to its limit.

Commerce Bank, Pro Cycling Tour, the event organizers of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling, the City of Reading, and other major sponsors have joined forces to create a series of fun experiences and activities for race day.  Here’s a schedule of what you can look forward to:

Thursday June 5^th – RACE DAY

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

At the Start/Finish Zone on Penn Street there will be a free Lifestyle Expo featuring interesting exhibitors and many of the race sponsors who will be sampling new foods, products and services for all to try.  A food court, which will provide “tables with a view,” a first aid station and restroom facilities can also be found in the Start/Finish area.  Bleachers at 5^th & Penn streets will be available to the general public for a great view of the start and finish action.

10 a.m.

The Elite Amateur Men make their way around downtown Reading on a 25-mile criterium course.  Fast and furious…you won’t want to miss this showcase of the cycling’s next generation of stars.

11:15 a.m.

Watch women’s racing at its best!   The Triple Crown Pro Women will take off using the same 25-mile criterium course.  Watch as these pros tear up the streets in their quest for a win in the second leg of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown.

Beginning at 12 noon

Go to the Zones!  Reading’s Family Fun Zones offer food vendors, live music and entertainment and some of the best vantage points for viewing the race.  City Park Fun Zone is located right at the cyclists’ feed zone and provides a great spot for watching their climb up Duryea Drive.  The Centre Park Fun Zone is situated on a long, uphill straight-away on Centre Avenue, and new this year will be a Downtown Fun Zone which will put spectators in close proximity to the thrills of the start/finish line on Penn Street. WEEU-830 AM radio broadcasts live from each of the Fun Zone spots. 

1 p.m.

Commerce Bank Reading Classic

The Pro Men take the stage as they begin their 75-mile circuit race that will take them through the City of Reading, up Mt. Penn three times and back through downtown to the finish line.

Be sure to check out the Berks Foods “race within the race.” The professional men will have to climb Reading’s scenic Mt. Penn Duryea Drive on the last three laps of their 75-mile circuit.  
 
On each of the final three laps, the first three riders will score 5, 3 and 1 point,  respectively, and the rider with the most points after the final three laps and climbs will be hailed as the winner of the 2008 Berks Top Dog King of the Hill Challenge. The Berks Foods Top Dog King of the Hill champion rider will win a custom trophy and cycling jersey!  There’s also $250.00, $150.00 and $100.00 cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the points standings for the hill climb.

Between-the-Laps Fun

Children from Olivet Boys & Girls Club/PAL will race for the finish line between the first few laps of the pro men’s event.  (The children are competing in pre-race day events with Olivet/PAL to vie for 12 coveted sprint spots on June 5.)  Six 10 and 11-year-olds will participate in a sprint to the finish line between the 1^st and 2^nd pro men’s laps.  Another six 12 and 13-year-olds will then do the same between the 2^nd and 3^rd pro laps.  Be sure to cheer those youngsters on as they ride on the same roadway as the pros!  A big community “thank you” goes out to St. Joseph’s Medical Center for purchasing the bikes for the Olivet/PAL sprints.

Entertaining spectators between laps 3 and 4 will be a Mascot Skip on Penn Street.  Commerce Bank’s own Mr. C will host this no-holds-barred skipping match between the mascots from local teams such as the Reading Royals, Reading Express, Reading Phillies and others.

Bike Polo Exhibition

Shortly after the start of the pro men’s race, a bike polo exhibition will get underway in the City Park Fun Zone near the dove sculpture.  The 20 members of the Unionville Cycle Polo club will demonstrate this sport that’s gaining traction and attention worldwide. 

Be A Race Day VIP

            To experience race day from the comfort of the exclusive Champions Club, click here   to purchase VIP tickets for the very best in race day accommodations and hospitality.