Can the Philly Classic ignite another golden age of US road cycling?

The race was at its peak when American riders were regularly challenging for titles. Its return could help prompt a revival

After a decade-long absence, the beloved Philadelphia International Cycling Classic is set to return this weekend, with some of the world's best bike-racing teams taking to the famous circuit around the city's leafy Art Museum, Manayunk, and Roxborough areas on Sunday.

The race is one of just a handful of events on American soil sanctioned by UCI, cycling's international governing body, and will feature squads such as EF Education EasyPost, Lidl-Trek, Lotto-Intermarche, and Jayco AlUla in the men's race, and powerhouses CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and Human Powered Health in the women's event. It is classified as a 1.1 race, meaning it's two levels below the top-flight WorldTour, whose races include the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic will be livestreamed on Channel 6 ABC, with the women's race kicking off at 8.30am Eastern. The men will follow at 12.30pm. Of course, you could always trek to Philly and become part of the party yourself. I highly recommend snagging a spot somewhere along The Wall.