TNN Tackles Philly Cycling Classic

05 June 2016

Race: Philadelphia International Cycling Classic

Start/Finish: Philadelphia/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Distance: 189.1 kilometers

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Team Novo Nordisk raced Sunday at the 32^nd Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, a 178-kilometer race that finished atop the famed Manayunk Wall.

The riders tackled nine laps around the 19.7-km course, which featured two additional, smaller climbs before the 17 percent climb up Manayunk. On the third descent off the Wall, several riders attacked. Eventually, 14 riders formed a breakaway group and they rode out front until the final lap. The final lap shattered the peloton and an elite, front group formed. In the end, the race came down to a trio of riders with Eduard Prades (Caja Rural) taking the win.

“We raced really well together heading into the final few laps, especially Martijn, Stephen, Nico and myself,” Kevin De Mesmaeker said. “But the final lap completely blew apart the race. I was happy to see my form is coming back and I hope to perform well at the upcoming Canadian races.”

Kevin de Mesmaeker (BEL)

Team Novo Nordisk returns to racing Monday at the Tour de Korea with Stage 2. The 235.2-km race begins in Gumi and features two categorized climbs before a downhill finish into Gunsan.

Results: