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<\/p>\nPez Sez: Alright PEZ-fans \u2013 since Mike is in Rwanda getting ready for the Worlds and other adventures \u2013 I\u2019m stepping in with a guest post spot here at ET.\u00a0 After watching social media evolve over the past few years to become mostly a corporate propaganda outlet I thought it would be fun to take a look at the recent Vuelta Top 5 riders\u2019 Instagram channels and see if anything real or authentic or even posted by the actual rider himself surfaces amongst all corporate flotsam and jetsam \u2013 let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n
TOP STORY:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vuelta Top 5 Riders\u2019 Instagram Round-Up & PEZ Commentary<\/p>\n
Race News:<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Cycling Classic Returns for 2026
\n2026 Montreal Road Worlds Courses Unveiled<\/p>\n
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Jonas Vingegaard \u2013 Okay so he just won the Vuelta, finished second and the Tour and let\u2019s face it he\u2019s got more important things to do than social media, so I can\u2019t be too harsh on him for letting the team run his channel and post usual amount of \u201clook how great we are over here in Team Jumbo Visma\u201d PR.\u00a0 Your guess is as good as mine about what\u2019s going on with Jonas, but I imagine he\u2019s happy to be taking a break right now.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Joao Almeida \u2013 My hat does go off to Joao for at least making this Vuelta an actual horse race.\u00a0 There were a few moments there where I thought he might actually start to seriously threaten for the lead, but it was good to see him at constantly fighting and digging.\u00a0 Unfortunately I don\u2019t speak Spanish so I can\u2019t tell you what\u2019s going on with these posts but like the rest of these guys, they look like they\u2019re being run by the team.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tom Pidcock \u2013 I\u2019ll be the first to admit I didn\u2019t think Tom had a snowball\u2019s chance of doing anything other than maybe a stage win in this Vuelta, but look at him go and proving me all wrong.\u00a0 Little can be gleaned from his Instagram channel other than what we already know about his descending prowess, but he\u2019s also got some mad skills when it comes to laying down an impressive power skid.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jai Hindley \u2013 Now this is almost refreshing, but hardly counts as \u201csocial media\u201d \u2013 Jai Hindley\u2019s most recent post appears to be about two years old. I applaud him for turning off social media and just getting on with being a good bike racer \u2013 and congratulations on the nuptials.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Matthew Riccitello \u2013 Now here\u2019s a legit social media post \u2013 honest and heartfelt. Matthew thanking everyone for supporting him in his recent success at the Vuelta, easily this is the most impressive social media post from any of the top five finishers.\u00a0 An interesting subplot is his move to Decathlon CMA CGM, making him another of Israel Premier Tech\u2019s top riders to leave as he joins Derek Gee who cited team conditions as unworkable, and Mike Woods who is retiring from pro cycling, it will be interesting to watch what \u201cunfolds\u201d with that team in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Just over a week before the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the Local Organizing Committee of the Montr\u00e9al 2026 \u201cWorlds\u201d revealed the routes of the Elite Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s road races.\u00a0The UCI Road World Championships Montr\u00e9al 2026 promise to be a historic moment as Qu\u00e9bec and Canada unite with millions of cycling fans across the globe.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The road race courses will shine a spotlight on Montr\u00e9al and eight municipalities across Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie. Starting in Brossard, the peloton will race through vibrant towns and scenic landscapes. Between rivers and mountains, farmland and bustling urban centres, this course showcases Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie\u2019s cultural, natural, and heritage richness.<\/p>\n The peloton will then cross the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge, soaring over the majestic St. Lawrence River along a world-class gateway, recognized as Montr\u00e9al\u2019s iconic entrance.<\/p>\n Finally, the athletes will take on a formidable course in the city of Montr\u00e9al, one that will put their strength and endurance to the test. Full course details will be revealed on September 26, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda, during the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. Remember: all events will crown their UCI World Champions on Montr\u00e9al\u2019s legendary Parc<\/p>\n Said David Lappartient, President, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), \u201cThe Union Cycliste Internationale is delighted that in 2026, the UCI Road World Championships will return to Montr\u00e9al\u2014a city that, back in 1974, hosted the very first edition of our flagship annual event to be held outside Europe. There is no doubt that the 2026 UCI Road World Championships will be a sporting success and leave a lasting legacy that will further energize cycling participation.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n Philadelphia Cycling Classic Returns for 2026<\/p>\n Presented by AmeriGas, Epic Race Returns in 2026 as Start of\u00a0New Era\u00a0for City\u2019s International Pro Cycling Event<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Cycling Classic, now presented by AmeriGas\u00ae, is making a powerful comeback. Once a crown jewel of the American and international pro cycling calendar and last run in the city in 2016, the race returns on August 30, 2026\u00a0with renewed energy, civic pride, new leadership, and an inspired vision to unite sport, culture, and community.<\/p>\n At a City Hall press conference Tuesday, officials shared the news. \u201cPhiladelphia\u00a0is proud to welcome back one of the world\u2019s greatest sporting events,\u201d said Mayor\u00a0Cherelle L. Parker. \u201cGet excited, everyone \u2013 the Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back! This world-class event will again put\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0on the global stage in 2026, and it will go well beyond next year\u2019s celebration. An exceptional, experienced team is in place to build on the legacy of this event for many years to come. To the people of\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0and the region: this race belongs to you. Whether you\u2019re a cyclist, a neighbor, a business owner, or a fan, this event is for you, and it\u2019s going to be extraordinary!\u201d<\/p>\n \ufeff<\/p>\n Former\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0Mayor\u00a0Michael Nutter\u00a0is part of a triumvirate, along with\u00a0Eric Robbins\u00a0and\u00a0Carlos Rogers, comprising Race Street Partners, the group that owns the race and is leading the new organizing team. \u201cThis is\u00a0Philadelphia\u2019s\u00a0race; it is the people\u2019s race. It is open and free for all to engage with and enjoy. We are grateful to our friends at AmeriGas who embraced this vision wholeheartedly and joined us as the title sponsor. There are so many Philadelphians who remember growing up with this race, and we are beyond excited to be bringing it back in spectacular fashion for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n The nation\u2019s largest retail propane distributor, AmeriGas Propane L.P. is headquartered in\u00a0King of Prussia, Pa., and is a subsidiary of UGI Corporation (NYSE:\u00a0UGI<\/a>).\u00a0Mike Sharp, president of AmeriGas Propane said, \u201cJust as AmeriGas invests in the communities where our employees live and work, we\u2019re also heavily investing in upgrading our service standards, enhancing our delivery systems, and ensuring that every customer interaction reflects our dedication to excellence. This race represents everything we stand for \u2013 being the best competitor, bringing people together, honoring our regional roots, and supporting the neighborhoods that have supported us for generations while we fuel America\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Nutter also announced on Tuesday that 6abc has agreed to be the official broadcast and streaming partner of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and will be bringing the event live to viewers on race day.<\/p>\n Experienced Organizing Team<\/p>\n In addition to Mayor Nutter, Race Street Partners includes\u00a0Eric Robbins\u00a0and\u00a0Carlos Rogers. Robbins brings more than 20 years of finance and operational experience to the team to ensure the race\u2019s long-term sustainability and positive community impact. Rogers, a\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0native, has long championed the return of this race and spent more than three decades advancing the sport as both a competitive cyclist and race promoter.<\/p>\n Veteran race organizer and pro team manager\u00a0Robin Morton, principal of g4 Productions, returns as race director. Morton is intimately familiar with the\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0race, having managed pro teams that competed in the race and overseen race operations in prior years.<\/p>\n Additionally, a Host Committee is forming to engage the community at large and will be co-chaired by two of the city\u2019s preeminent business and civic leaders,\u00a0David L. Cohen\u00a0and\u00a0Lisa J. Nutter, who is also a competitive, master\u2019s level, track cyclist and national champion.<\/p>\n Building out the infrastructure to mount and market the event is\u00a0Philadelphia-based Athena Global Advisors, which played a major role in the winning FIFA 2026 bid for the city, in concert with\u00a0Philadelphia\u2019s\u00a0Office of the City Representative and Special Events, strategic advisor\u00a0Mary Stengel Austen, and communications firm Devine + Partners.<\/p>\n A Global Stage for the City & the Best in Women\u2019s and Men\u2019s Pro Cycling<\/p>\n Renowned for its challenging course, elite international field, and stunning urban backdrop, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas will travel the original race route, spotlighting treasured\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0landmarks, including the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Kelly Drive, the legendary Manayunk Wall, Strawberry Mansion, Lemon Hill, and Boathouse Row.<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is sanctioned by both\u00a0USA\u00a0Cycling and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It will be one of just two UCI sanctioned, one-day road races at the 1.1 category in the U.S. in 2026 and offers equal prizes, a total of\u00a0$75,000\u00a0each, for the women\u2019s and men\u2019s races.<\/p>\n Both the pro women\u2019s and men\u2019s races will start and finish on the Parkway. The women\u2019s race will total about 62 miles on the 14.4-mile circuit with the men\u2019s race totaling about 120 miles.<\/p>\n USA\u00a0Cycling CEO\u00a0Brendan Quirk\u00a0shared his excitement about the race\u2019s return. \u201cWe are delighted that this storied race is making its comeback! Its return says so much about America\u2019s longstanding connection to world-class road racing,\u201d said Quirk. \u201cPhiladelphia\u00a0holds a special place in cycling history in this country \u2013 the caliber of athletes from all over the world who competed there is legendary. So, welcome back,\u00a0Philadelphia. We can\u2019t wait to be there with you in\u00a0August 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Freddie Rodriguez, a former American pro cyclist, holds the record with four U.S. Pro championships, three of which were won in\u00a0Philadelphia, including an outright victory in 2001. Speaking at the press conference, Rodriguez characterized the\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0course as one of the most challenging on the international racing calendar and one that cyclists eagerly anticipated. \u201cI had a history of doing well here, so Philly became home to me,\u201d said Rodriguez. \u201cIt was a monumental race for American cycling, and the racers, both Americans and Europeans, understood the quality of the race. The fact that it\u2019s coming back with the original course is phenomenal. The Parkway feels like a stadium. There\u2019s so much action for spectators, especially in tight areas where the race gets difficult like the 17% grade climb up the Manayunk Wall. Philly is one of the select races in the U.S. that can truly call itself a classic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday has been three years in the making for me,\u201d said Rogers of Race Street Partners. \u201cI was an elite amateur, and in 1994 joined a pro combine team to participate in the race. Like so many others, I have missed it dearly. I talked to everyone I could about building momentum for bringing an absolutely epic event back to an equally epic city. Thanks to Mayor Nutter and\u00a0Eric Robbins, especially, today here we are. In just under a year, I look forward to seeing you all along the race course as we cheer on these fierce competitors and welcome them as only\u00a0Philadelphia\u00a0can.\u201d<\/p>\n Sponsorship and Community Engagement<\/p>\n More than a single day of racing, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic is envisioned as a multi-day festival that supports neighborhoods, small businesses, schools, and civic engagement\u2014creating opportunities for lasting economic and social impact throughout the city.<\/p>\n The race also offers a range of tiered sponsorship opportunities designed to encourage broad participation from both the corporate sector and community partners. These tiers provide varying levels of visibility and engagement, from top-tier branding opportunities to more community-centered activations. All sponsorship packages include customizable experiences, VIP hospitality access, and the ability to align with charitable initiatives.<\/p>\n Every sponsorship level is built around visibility, impact, and authentic engagement with\u00a0Philadelphia\u2019s\u00a0diverse communities.<\/p>\n For more information, sponsorship inquiries, and media requests, please contact the Philadelphia Cycling Classic at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0or visit\u00a0www.philadelphiacyclingclassic.com<\/a>. Follow us on Instagram for updates and announcements.<\/p>\n About Philadelphia Cycling Classic<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is a premier cycling event that first debuted in 1985 and quickly grew into one of the most prestigious, professional road races for an international peloton in\u00a0North America. Its return in\u00a02026 marks\u00a0a new era for both the race and the city of\u00a0Philadelphia, bringing together elite athletes, passionate fans, and global media to celebrate the spirit of competition and community.<\/p>\n SOURCE Philadelphia Cycling Classic<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Watch the PEZ YOUTUBE Channel here<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s trainer season, so a good time to check out the PEZ review of the Cycplus T2 Smart trainer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n See PEZ FACEBOOK here<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/arundel-25aug300-wraptor-wrap.jpg\")
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<\/a> RACE NEWS<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/uci-world-championships-quebec-2026-header.jpg\")
2026 Road Worlds Courses Unveiled<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/philly16dp-17-septa-el-940.jpg\")
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