Hundreds Compete In Philadelphia International Cycling Classic
By Tim Jimenez and Kristen Johanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was bike race day on Sunday and the weather couldn't be better for the thousands of spectators and the hundreds of the best cyclists in the world competing in the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic. New this year, the women got the spotlight.
The men started their trek early in the morning, the women in the afternoon. It was a break in tradition because the women's portion of the event this year was an elite race with global flair and Mayor Michael Nutter is proud of that.
"International Cycling organization, UCI, upgraded our women's race to be part of the women's World Cup series," the mayor said. "We're the only city in America that's part of the series."
The most grueling part of the annual race is the half mile climb up Manayunk's infamous wall. 25 year-old Doris Schweizer from Switzerland has been training for months
"It's the first time for me, but it seems to be an amazing ride and we saw the course," said Schweizer. "It's interesting, I'm really excited to race."
There are only ten of those races total, so the prestige of the World Cup coming back to Philadelphia is a big win for the event and the city. Nutter said he's proud the winners receive an equal share of the prize.
"Creating a new opportunity for the elite women cyclists," he said, "and that we have equal purse winnings for men and women."
This was Nutter's final bike race in office and the long-term success of the race is one he hopes the city's next mayor keeps in mind.
"It's the largest International sports event regularly held in Philadelphia," Nutter said, "and we need to make sure it goes on forever."
30-year-old Christy Keely has been pro for 8 years and says she trained about 30 hrs a week for this event.
"This is the best in the world. Women from all over the world, the best of the best," Keely said. "There's no one better out there because they're all here."
The winner: Lizzy Armistead from Great Britain