CANYON//SRAM’s Chiara Consonni takes the first women’s cycling championship in Philadelphia since 2016
Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas makes its triumphant return to legions of fans across the historic race route
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 30, 2026) — The wait is over, and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas® has a new women’s champion. Italian racer Chiara Consonni, 27, of CANYON//SRAM powered to victory Sunday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, winning the women’s contest as the iconic race returned to the streets of the city for the first time in a decade.
Consonni led the field of 123 cyclists from 21 teams, completing the 62-mile (100km) course in 2:34:55, finishing ahead of 27-year-old Alexandra Volstad (Canada) of EF Education - Oatly and Ella Sabo, (United States) age 20 of Virginia's Blue Ridge - TWENTY28.
“It’s been a long season and Philadelphia was always my plan,” said Consonni, a gold medalist in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a race that tested the field across Philadelphia’s historic 14.4-mile circuit, Consonni conquered the legendary Manayunk Wall four times, navigating the half-mile climb with grades reaching 17% before making her winning move, narrowly edging out the Canadian Volstad to reach the finish on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway first.
“The City of Philadelphia has missed this race for 10 years, and these elite women athletes – including Olympians and national champions – showcased the kind of talent and grit that just reinforces why we absolutely had to bring it back,” said Carlos Rogers, co-owner of the race and co-founder of Race Street Partners, along with former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Eric Robbins.
“Watching the women’s field take on this course has been one of the defining moments of race day,” said Bob Flexon, president and chief executive officer of UGI Corporation. “Their performance showcased the very best of professional bike racing, and Philadelphia met their effort with the energy it deserved, setting the tone for an outstanding day and giving the entire city something to rally around from the very first lap.”
Babette Van Der Wolf (Netherlands, 22), of EF Education - Oatly claimed the Penn Medicine Queen of the Mountain jersey, scoring nine points across the four ascents of the Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill.
Lauren Stephens (United States, 39), of Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment captured the Lincoln Financial Women’s Sprint jersey with six points at the designated sprint zone in East Falls.
The women’s race included four laps of the Classic’s 14.4-mile circuit followed by two laps of a 3.3-mile finishing circuit between the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Lemon Hill.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas features equal $75,000 prize purses for the women’s and men’s professional races, continuing a tradition established in 2013.
Full results from the women’s race are available at www.phiadelphiacyclingclassic.com/results.
About Philadelphia Cycling Classic Presented by AmeriGas®
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 North America. In 2026, the Classic returns with AmeriGas® as presenting sponsor, supporting the relaunch of this iconic Philadelphia tradition, bringing together elite athletes and passionate fans from around the globe to celebrate the spirit of competition and community. The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is owned by Race Street Partners, composed of Carlos Rogers, Eric M. Robbins, and Michael A. Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia.
