Philadelphia Cycling Classic Presented by AmeriGas Announces Elite Fields for Highly Anticipated Return of Pro Men's and Women's Races
- Philadelphia Cycling Classic
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
36 teams — including eight WorldTour teams, Olympians and national champions — highlight the top international and domestic pelotons heading to Philadelphia on Aug. 30
PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 19, 2026) — After a 10-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas is about to turn the streets of Philadelphia into a stadium for the return of one of America’s most iconic single-day road races on Sunday, Aug. 30.
A world-class field of 212 riders, representing 28 countries across 36 teams is set to compete. The 2026 pelotons will include 123 women and 89 men, with 21 women's teams and 15 men's teams. Among them are eight UCI WorldTour teams — three women's and five men's — as well as Olympic champions, national champions, international stars and some of the sport's rising American talent.
Both women and men will compete on the original race course as designed in 1985, a 14.4-mile circuit that starts and finishes on the majestic Benjamin Franklin Parkway and features curves, sprints, and grinding climbs like the legendary Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill. Athletes are also vying for equal prize money, with $75,000 purses set for the men's and women's races, underscoring the event's commitment to bringing top-level competition to both events.
“After a decade away, it’s incredibly exciting to see the Philadelphia Cycling Classic return with a field of this caliber,” said Robin Morton, race director of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by AmeriGas and principal of g4 Productions. “The riders coming to Philadelphia represent some of the best in the sport, from established champions to the next generation of stars, and they’ll be racing on a course that for 30 years challenged some of cycling’s greats. To have this race back on the international calendar is a tremendous moment for cycling in America, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the world’s cycling community back to Philadelphia.”
Women’s Field Features Championship Pedigree
The women’s field brings together championship pedigree, WorldTour experience and riders arriving in Philadelphia with momentum from some of cycling's biggest races. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kristen Faulkner (USA) of EF Education-Oatly headlines the women's field after winning both the road race and team pursuit at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She will be joined by Maggie Coles-Lyster (CAN) of Human Powered Health, who will race in the Maple Leaf jersey as the reigning Canadian road race champion.
The women's field also features Lauren Stephens (USA) of Aegis x Leaders of Enchantment, a Pan American Games road race champion and three-time winner of the Tour of the Gila, Marlies Mejias Garcia (CUB) of Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28, a multiple-time Cuban national champion on the road and track, and Megan Guarnier (USA) CCB Kenetik p/b Levine Law Group, who won the last edition of the women's Philadelphia Cycling Classic 10 years ago.
Deep Experience in Men’s Teams Plus Emerging American Talent
The men's field features a mix of riders with deep experience on cycling's biggest stages as well as emerging American talent. Quinn Simmons (USA) of Lidl-Trek will bring the Stars and Stripes jersey to Philadelphia as the reigning U.S. Road Race National Champion, while Luke Lamperti (USA) of EF Education-EasyPost arrives as a recent WorldTour stage winner after claiming the opening stage of Paris-Nice earlier this year. Sean Quinn (USA) of EF Education-EasyPost also brings U.S. and Tour de France credentials, coming within seconds of the yellow jersey during the opening week in 2026 and as the 2024 U.S. Pro Road Race Championship.
The field also includes Riley Sheehan (USA) of NSN Cycling Team, who has established himself as one of the rising American talents racing in Europe, and Ben Oliver (NZL) of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, who is one of the sport’s emerging international talents. Together, they represent a new generation of riders competing alongside established professionals on a Philadelphia course that has tested some of the world's best cyclists for decades.
For Robin Carpenter (USA) of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, the return of the Classic is particularly personal. The Manayunk native grew up alongside the race course and watched the event annually as a child before eventually competing in it himself. 2026 will mark his fourth Philadelphia Cycling Classic appearance. Kim Stoveld (USA) of AUTOMATIC Racing, who lives in Philadelphia, gives local fans another hometown rider to follow when the women's field takes to the course.
Two former winners of the men’s race will be back in 2026, albeit in different capacities. Fred Rodriguez, the 2001 men’s champ, will be commentating for the live broadcast on 6abc and 6abc.com, and 1998 men’s winner George Hincapie is returning, this time with Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, the men’s team he founded with his brother, Rich.
“In my view, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic suits the all-arounders – those who can sprint, climb, and are the strongest and most tactical. There is a race to watch in every lap of this event,” said Rodriguez. “It’s fast and dynamic. A lot can happen on any lap, which makes it really fun to watch. Plus for these riders, the crowd support is everything.”
There are 28 countries represented on the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic rosters, including athletes from: Albania (ALB), Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Belgium (BEL), Belize (BLZ), Canada (CAN), China (CHN), Colombia (COL), Cuba (CUB), Denmark (DEN), Dominican Republic (DOM), Finland (FIN), Germany (GER), Great Britain (GBR), Ireland (IRL), Israel (ISR), Italy (ITA), Mexico (MEX), Netherlands (NED), New Zealand (NZL), Norway (NOR), Poland (POL), Slovakia (SVK), Slovenia (SLO), South Africa (RSA), Spain (ESP), Ukraine (UKR), and the United States (USA).
The women's race, which begins at 8:35 a.m. (EDT), will cover approximately 62 miles (100 km), while the men's race, which begins at 12 p.m. (EDT), will cover approximately 120 miles (200 km) on the Philadelphia Cycling Classic's circuit. Both races are UCI 1.1 sanctioned and USA Cycling sanctioned.
Fans nationwide and internationally can watch 6abc’s exclusive stream of the entire Philadelphia Cycling Classic on 6abc.com, 6abc’s YouTube channel, Hulu, Disney+, and everywhere you stream 6abc. And locally, fans can watch updates on the races on Action News Sunday morning, special updates throughout the day, and a Philadelphia Cycling Classic Special at 5:30 p.m. on 6abc.
The full preliminary men's and women's start lists are available at https://www.philadelphiacyclingclassic.com/team.
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.
