Sunday, June 5, 2011 will mark the 27th running of the largest single day professional cycling race in North America, bringing top cyclists from around the world to compete against each other on a now-historic route through Philadelphia which features the grueling Manayunk Wall, organizers announced today.

The TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship is considered the foundation of American pro cycling.  It is the only bike race in the United States that takes over a major city for six hours, consistently draws crowds of several hundred thousand spectators, is covered live on national television and has received the highest international classification, “UCI Hors Category.”  The event will welcome 400 professional cyclists from more than 20 nations and close to 1,000 amateur cyclists who compete in ancillary events.

 “We are thrilled that the race has become a fixture on the international race calendar and that so many teams and riders from all over the world know of its great reputation and want to come here.  As the longest single day road race in North America, it offers our American pro teams the rare opportunity to compete in a classic European style road race on home soil against many of the world’s best. But most of all, the race has introduced big time bike racing to Philadelphia and has been the inspiration for many other cycling events and programs throughout the region.”

Last year’s 156-mile battle ended with an international cast crossing the finish line first.  Australia's Matt Goss (HTC-Columbia) was the winner, marking the second TD Bank race victory in a row for the HTC-Columbia team. Slovakia’s Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo) and Norway's Alexander Kristoff (BMC Racing Team) came in second and third place.

In addition to the TD Bank race which features the sport’s top professional men, women cyclists from around the globe will again line up on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to contest the 18th annual Liberty Classic.  Germany’s Ina Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) is a Philadelphia favorite with four wins here to her credit, including the 2010 race.
  
Ride Like The Pros – And With Them, Too
There are two opportunities for cycling fans to ride like the pros this year at the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship.  First, the Wellness Challenge will again open the course to amateurs in the morning before the pros take the start line.  “There is just no other opportunity during the year to ride the Parkway, Kelly Drive, the Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill completely traffic free -- this is it!  You can experience the same climbs, the same straightaways, the same majesty of the course that is Philly that the pros will a few hours later,” said Chauner.  For more information on the Wellness Challenge, go to http://www.procyclingtour.com/wellness.challenge.htm.

New to the 2011 schedule is a special Weekend at the Race tour package.  “You’ll feel like you’re part of the biggest race in America because you will be,” said John Gil, president of Exceptional Cycling Tours which is partnering with Pro Cycling Tour to offer this exclusive insider’s access.  Beginning Friday, June 3 through race day, June 5, tour participants will dine and ride with the professional cyclists, stay at the official race hotel, meet team directors and mechanics, ride their own epic route from Philadelphia to Valley Forge and participate in the Wellness Challenge.  On race day, VIP accommodations at the start/finish line will put these fans within reach of all the action, including the all-out field sprints to victory.  Check www.procyclingtour.com for updates and the coming announcement on how to purchase the package.

Want to Be a VIP?
VIP tickets will be on sale soon for Champions Row hospitality tents along the Parkway.  Champions Row VIPs enjoy prime start/finish positioning, an all-day catered buffet, complimentary drinks, and shuttle bus transport to and from Manayunk.  Perhaps most exciting about these VIP spots is the chance to win one of 10 rides in the race’s official pace car as well as a special appearance by one of the race’s top competitors. Champions Row VIPs are also able to park in reserved spots at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, with a shuttle that takes them to and from the race course. Patron packages for corporate and personal entertaining are also available.  More information and purchasing opportunities will be posted soon at  http://www.procyclingtour.com/patronpackages.htm.

Watching the Race
For those who can’t make it out to the race course on Sunday, June 5, Pro Cycling Tour is pleased to announce that Comcast SportsNet will again broadcast the race locally in high definition in the Philadelphia region, and nationally on its Versus station. In addition, cycling enthusiasts can listen to KYW Newsradio, which is signed on to partner with the race for the next three years, for live updates throughout the race as well as preview stories in the weeks leading up to the big day.