BBQs beer and a party atmosphere

Jun 4th, 11. While the spectators enjoy BBQs, beer and a party atmosphere up the Manayunk Wall, sixteen Kiwis will be providing the entertainment as they battle up the famous climb in Philadelphia.

In 2010, eight Kiwis rode America's most famous one day race, this year the number has blown to sixteen. 

Tom Scully (Chipotle Development Team), Patrick Bevin (Bissell Pro Cycling), and PureBlack Racing's Daniel Barry, Glen Chadwick, Tim Gudsell, Scott Lyttle, Mike Northey, Shem Rodger, Roman van Uden and James Williamson are riding The Philadelphia International Cycling Championship on Sunday (early Monday morning NZ time).

The race usually comes down to a sprint finish, but with 252km and 10 laps up the 17% gradient Manayunk Wall to conquer first, just getting to the finishing straight is not an easy task.

In last year's UCI1.HC race, young Kiwi fastman Patrick Bevin was pulled from the course when his "lights went out" on the final lap just 22km from the finish line.  Matt Goss from HTC Highroad won the select bunch sprint.

Before the men race, the women warm up the crowds with the four lap, 90km Liberty Classic. Racing this year are Kiwis Jo Kiesanowski (Tibco), Cath Cheatley (Colavita), Emily Collins (Vanderkitten), Gen Whitson (MVP Healthcare), Courteney Lowe and Kate Chilcott (both CRCA).

Cheatley and Kiesanowski both love this race.  Last year they were in the final 22 riders left on the final lap. They led out their respective team leaders to 3rd and 4th positions, while they placed 14th and 9th. Ina Yoko Teutenburg (HTC Highroad) won for the 4th time.  

Kiesanowski has had personal success in this race, in 2009 she placed 2nd.

This year both Kiwis have exceptionally strong teams.  Cheatley's team includes UCI Road World Champion Georgia Bronzini who won the Grand Prix de Gatineau in Canada earlier this month. Tibco also believe they have a winning roster with a number of options for victory.

Whomever wins, the party will go on up the Manayunk Wall.

Last year the Kiwis said how loud the crowds were with their horns, bagpipes and constant yelling. They said it was hard to concentrate on staying upright, especially on the last lap when zig-zagging over the road trying to muster the last ounce of energy.

"The crowds were like nothing I have ever seen before. There were so many spectators up the wall having parties that the smell of BBQ'd meat was waffling into the peloton. We all felt pretty sick smelling that climbing up the wall," Whitson said after last year's race.