Reijnen wins Philly Cycling Classic

Kiel Reijnen (USA) took home the title of the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic on Sunday afternoon, finishing the 120 mile course in 4:35:39 unofficial, six seconds faster than Jesse Anthony (USA). The United States swept the podium with a third place finish from Joey Rosskopf, who finished 10 seconds behind the winner.

Bruno Langlois (CAN) of the Team Equipe Garneau- Québecor held the lead for the eighth and ninth laps with a group of four other riders, who held a 25 second gap over the rest of the field. He did not manage to make the podium, as he faultered in the final 12 miles of race.

The United States also boasted the Best Young Rider of the year, which Zac Noonan took home. King of the Mountain (KOM) award went to Dion Smith (NZL), whom led for the race early on, but fell back. The King of the Mountain award goes to the cyclist that climbs the hills with the most efficiency.

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Evelyn Stevens (USA) of the Specialized-Luluemon team came out with the victory in the women's race of the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic by a very narrow margin over Joelle Numainville (CAN) of the Optum P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies. She finished with a time of 2:33:25.0, just a millisecond ahead of Numainville. Claudia Häusler finished in third place.

"I closed my eyes," Stevens said. "When I was going up [the hill], I was thinking how much I sucked last week, and how much my teammates did for me today and I thought I had to deliver. I actually did not know if I had won because my eyes were closed when I crossed."

"I thought I had it," Numainville said. "I guess I didn't have it. I think she passed me a little bit with 50 meters to go. I'm really happy still."

Stevens credits her teammates, and their game plan for her victory in Philadelphia. She credits the teamwork and dedication of her entire team throughout the race.

"I told Tayler (Wiles), 'we're gambling, don't go to the front,'" Stevens said. "We had to gamble. We stuck to our plan and I think that's why we wont today. We had one team strategy and we executed it perfectly, and that's why we won. Everyone is going to do different things, but if you stick to your plan, it usually works out.

Alison Powers (USA) held about a 30 second lead over the field for much of the last lap, but she was caught by the field, and failed to make the podium. She did take home the Sprint title, which nets her $2,500 in prize money. Ruth Winder took home the title of Best Young Rider, which goes to the best finish from a rider that is 23 years old or younger.