Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
After a 10-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic brought crowds in from every corner of the city to watch some of the world\u2019s most talented cyclists compete. <\/p>\n
They were not disappointed. Both the women\u2019s and men\u2019s classics saw competitive races, coming down to the final meters. Italian cyclist Chiara Consonni placed first in the women\u2019s classic, and Germany\u2019s Tim Torn Teutenberg won the men\u2019s classic.<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s classic <\/p>\n
After finishing first in the women\u2019s classic, Consonni did not have much time to celebrate. The Italian professional cyclist had a flight to catch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m coming home and [will] focus on the last effort for the season,\u201d said Consonni, who competed for Canyon-SRAM. \u201cIt was a really long season. Philadelphia was in my plan from the beginning. I\u2019m really happy to be here and do this race. And for sure, winning is always something great.\u201d <\/p>\n
Following a crash in the race\u2019s final mile, Consonni made a late push to overtake Canadian cyclist Alexandra Volstad. Consonni finished the 62-mile race in just under 2 hours, 35 minutes. Volstad placed second and Ella Sabo, a native of California, came in third. <\/p>\n
This is Consonni\u2019s third major race this month, having already competed in the Tour de France and Tour of Britain. The former boasts more impressive inclines but neither European race features a flat route. Consonni felt that both races prepared her for the steep inclines she faced in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe climb made some action and also something that the people can watch, something different than the flat race,\u201d Consonni said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my first time here, first time doing this race after a lot of years,\u201d Consonni added. \u201cI think the organization was amazing by my side. I hope this race will increase year by year and a lot of European teams can come and play for the victory.\u201d <\/p>\n
Men\u2019s classic <\/p>\n
After crossing the finish line, Teutenberg did a victory lap. Pumping his arms in the air, the German cyclist was overcome with joy after winning what he described as a \u201ctechnical race.\u201d <\/p>\n
In the final mile, he broke away from the pack alongside British cyclist Robert Donaldson and another German competitor in Jonas Rutsch. Teutenberg was able to create distance from the two, finishing the 120-mile race in just under 4 hours, 21 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had some people that we left in front of me, so I tried to get a bit of shelter behind them, it was a bit of a cat-and-mouse [game] waiting,\u201d Teutenberg said. \u201cAnd then I don\u2019t know \u2026 I just went, [with] all I had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although he had never competed in Philadelphia, Teutenberg had heard about the race from his aunt, Ina-Yoko Teutenberg \u2014 who placed first in the classic four times between 2007 and 2012. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a super good atmosphere today,\u201d Teutenberg said. <\/p>\n
A \u2018dream come true\u2019<\/p>\n
Kim Stoveld, a Philadelphia native, took an unconventional route to participate in the women\u2019s classic.<\/p>\n
The former University at Buffalo swimmer did not pick up competitive cycling until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Six years later, the 37-year-old competed in her hometown race, placing 71st with a time of 2:37:59. <\/p>\n
\u201cI watched this race in 2013, 2014, \u201915, and \u201916 when it was still going on, and I was just getting into cycling,\u201d Stoveld said. \u201cAnd then to be on the other side of it, 10 years later, is just like a dream come true. Just absolutely amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
A slow shutter speed while panning the camera captures the peloton\u2019s movement along Kelly Drive during the men\u2019s race .Read more<\/a>Tom Gralish \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n One reporter asked Stoveld what her advice would be to young women looking to take up cycling.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I can do this good in my late 30s, picking it up at 30, you as an 8-year-old getting into sports will dominate,\u201d Stoveld said. \u201cPlease keep riding your bike.\u201d<\/p>\n On the men\u2019s side, Robin Carpenter gave Philadelphians another local cyclist to cheer on. The 34-year-old, who competed in Classic before its hiatus, finished 43rd with a time of 4:27:59. <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: Biking fans \u2014 new and old \u2014 flock to a renewed Philadelphia Cycling Classic after decade-long hiatus<\/a><\/p>\n