Italy’s Chiara Consonni wins women’s race, Germany’s Tim Torn Teutenberg takes men’s title at Philadelphia Cycling Classic

After a 10-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic brought crowds in from every corner of the city to watch some of the world’s most talented cyclists compete.

They were not disappointed. Both the women’s and men’s classics saw competitive races, coming down to the final meters. Italian cyclist Chiara Consonni placed first in the women’s classic, and Germany’s Tim Torn Teutenberg won the men’s classic.

After finishing first in the women’s classic, Consonni did not have much time to celebrate. The Italian professional cyclist had a flight to catch.

“I’m coming home and [will] focus on the last effort for the season,” said Consonni, who competed for Canyon-SRAM. “It was a really long season. Philadelphia was in my plan from the beginning. I’m really happy to be here and do this race. And for sure, winning is always something great.”

Following a crash in the race’s final mile, Consonni made a late push to overtake Canadian cyclist Alexandra Volstad. Consonni finished the 62-mile race in just under 2 hours, 35 minutes. Volstad placed second and Ella Sabo, a native of California, came in third.

This is Consonni’s third major race this month, having already competed in the Tour de France and Tour of Britain. The former boasts more impressive inclines but neither European race features a flat route. Consonni felt that both races prepared her for the steep inclines she faced in Philadelphia.

“The climb made some action and also something that the people can watch, something different than the flat race,” Consonni said.

“It’s my first time here, first time doing this race after a lot of years,” Consonni added. “I think the organization was amazing by my side. I hope this race will increase year by year and a lot of European teams can come and play for the victory.”

After crossing the finish line, Teutenberg did a victory lap. Pumping his arms in the air, the German cyclist was overcome with joy after winning what he described as a “technical race.”

In the final mile, he broke away from the pack alongside British cyclist Robert Donaldson and another German competitor in Jonas Rutsch. Teutenberg was able to create distance from the two, finishing the 120-mile race in just under 4 hours, 21 minutes.

“We had some people that we left in front of me, so I tried to get a bit of shelter behind them, it was a bit of a cat-and-mouse [game] waiting,” Teutenberg said. “And then I don’t know … I just went, [with] all I had.”

Although he had never competed in Philadelphia, Teutenberg had heard about the race from his aunt, Ina-Yoko Teutenberg — who placed first in the classic four times between 2007 and 2012.

“It was a super good atmosphere today,” Teutenberg said.

Kim Stoveld, a Philadelphia native, took an unconventional route to participate in the women’s classic.

The former University at Buffalo swimmer did not pick up competitive cycling until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Six years later, the 37-year-old competed in her hometown race, placing 71st with a time of 2:37:59.

“I watched this race in 2013, 2014, ’15, and ’16 when it was still going on, and I was just getting into cycling,” Stoveld said. “And then to be on the other side of it, 10 years later, is just like a dream come true. Just absolutely amazing.”

A slow shutter speed while panning the camera captures the peloton’s movement along Kelly Drive during the men’s race .Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer

One reporter asked Stoveld what her advice would be to young women looking to take up cycling.

“If I can do this good in my late 30s, picking it up at 30, you as an 8-year-old getting into sports will dominate,” Stoveld said. “Please keep riding your bike.”

On the men’s side, Robin Carpenter gave Philadelphians another local cyclist to cheer on. The 34-year-old, who competed in Classic before its hiatus, finished 43rd with a time of 4:27:59.

» READ MORE: Biking fans — new and old — flock to a renewed Philadelphia Cycling Classic after decade-long hiatus

Like Stoveld, Carpenter has plenty of experience with The Wall. Carpenter grew up in Manayunk and learned to master the steep incline at 11. As he made it through the final lap in his neighborhood, Carpenter spotted his family cheering him on from the sidewalk.

“I always know exactly where they’re going to be because it’s always just down the street from the house I grew up in. On the last lap, my wife Anna was holding the baby over the barrier.

“[There] is no better atmosphere in the United States than Philly for cycling, in my opinion. It’s so cool to have it back. I’m so grateful to everybody who was involved.”