Parx Casino to Sponsor New Pro Cycling Race in Philly This Summer

The Philadelphia International Cycling Championship will be replaced with a new 120-mile cycling race.

Big news cycling fans: Professional cycling is coming to Philly this summer after all, thanks to an unlikely sponsor.

On Tuesday, details of the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic were announced. The race, with a new name and new sponsor, will replace of the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship, which was cancelled in January after 28 years due to loss of sponsors and rising city costs. Bensalem’s Parx Casino has pledged $500,000 over the next two years to keep the race going.

The new race features a slightly different course than the one we’re used to. The previous race ended on the Parkway near the Art Museum, but now riders must conquer the notorious Manayunk Wall in order to reach the finish line located on Lyceum Street. The course, which is shorter at 12 miles, will be concentrated in East Falls, Manayunk and Fairmount Park. Riders will need to complete 10 laps for a race total of 120 miles.

The race will be held on June 2nd with a prize of $60,000 split evenly between the top male and female racers.

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