EF, Lidl-Trek among teams announced for Philly Classic reboot

The long-awaited return of the Philly Classic, a prominent US one-day road race, has secured significant WorldTour team participation for its August 30 reboot. EF Education-EasyPost, Lidl-Trek, and Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto are among the confirmed squads set to tackle the 60-mile women's and 100-mile men's courses, marking the event's first running in a decade. This announcement solidifies the race's ambition to reclaim its status as a premier fixture on the North American calendar.

This re-emergence is crucial for professional cycling in the United States, which has seen a significant decline in major events over the past decade. The Philly Classic, with its iconic Manayunk Wall, historically drew large crowds and offered a vital platform for both domestic and international talent. Securing top-tier teams like EF and Lidl-Trek provides immediate credibility and elevates the competitive standard, potentially attracting further investment and demonstrating a viable path for other struggling or defunct US races.

While a single race won't single-handedly revive US pro cycling, attracting WorldTour presence to a rebooted classic is a necessary first pedal stroke. Now, to deliver a race worthy of its storied past.