We're on the startline for the 10th edition of the Philadelphia International Championship. As always, this race promises to be an exciting affair as the profile allows different types of riders to excel, as has been the case in the past. With the waving of the flag, the race is underway. Let's see how this year's race plays out.
Favourites
FLA
HIL
RES
SPR
ACC
Mohs
74
64
62
82
80
Guillen
67
61
62
81
82
Thorsen
60
53
54
81
83
Holloway
78
69
77
80
82
Granjel Cabrera
75
69
71
80
77
Moser
72
67
69
80
79
Carsi
70
55
69
80
82
Boivin
74
70
70
79
80
Von Hoff
71
66
74
79
77
Keough
73
62
73
79
79
Manarelli
72
59
65
79
79
Awang
64
52
62
79
83
The early break consists of four riders: Al Murawwi Zaccanti Choksi Fumic
The peloton are content to let them ride and they build up a lead of more than 3 minutes quite quickly.
With 150 km to go, a chase forms as Centovalli, Netia, Eddie Stobart, NENT and McCormick crowd the front of the pack.
The break have been sharing the load in the opening half. Their lead hovers around the 3 minute mark.
80 km to go. The peloton is further stretched out as those in front push the pace. GCN have joined the teams doing the pace-making from earlier.
The break's lead is down to just 48 seconds with 40 km still to ride.
The first riders are dropped from the pack. Four of the nine in this group are from BNZ.
Choksi has no energy left and is dropped from the break. 23 km to go.
McCormick and Eddie Stobart have been doing most of the work in the last 20 kilometers. They are now joined by Equinor at the front.
The break is caught with 15 kilometers to go. Ngandamba leads the pack for GCN, and there are Centovalli riders around as well.
Soon after, the first attack arrives from Palyi.
Five others join him to make it a six rider group ahead of the peloton with 9 km to go. Kluge, Nepomnyachsniy, Kangangi, Connolly and Navardauskas are the latest aggressors.
The attackers are caught a kilometer later.
Kluge, Nepomnyachsniy, Navardauskas, Kangangi and Connolly attack again.
The peloton are down to 93 with 5 kilometers to go. Losch is at the front for Adastra, but he's only a distraction. OMV and Netia try to get organized in the chase. The peloton trail by 32 seconds.
There's good coordination in the lead group as they extend their lead to 45 seconds with 2.5 kilometers remaining. The peloton is down to 60 riders.
Centovalli led the chase in the peloton. 1.5 kilometers left and the gap is still 22 seconds.
The lead group starts to sprint as we reach the Red Kite. Nepomnyachsniy leads them. Kangangi can't keep up anymore.
Carsi leads the pack as they too now start sprinting. Holloway is his closest rival.
The Top 4 looks set. 400 meters to go and they have 18 seconds to the peloton.
200 meters. Kluge is catching Nepomnyachsniy. Connolly is also gaining on the far side.
It's too close to call as we enter the final 100 meters. Navardauskas is now out of the reckoning for the win.
Kluge has the most left in the tank and wins the Philadelphia International Championship.
Nepomnyachsniy holds on for 2nd, ahead of Connolly. Navardauskas finishes 4th.
100 meters to go for Kangani and he still has a gap to the break.
Kangangi indeed holds on for 5th.
Carsi wins the sprint from the pack for 6th place, with Holloway in 7th. Mohs is 8th.
Guillen and Boivin complete the top 10.
Today's winner - Roger Kluge.
The late attack works for Kluge as he throws back time to claim a famous win in this famous race. Nepomnyachsniy and Conolly would be happy with their podiums as well. The sprinters would be looking back at the hesitation around the 5 kilometer as the moment where their chances blew up.
