Participants Prepare For Inaugural Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Elite riders are stretching their legs Saturday and getting a feel for the new course to prepare for Sunday's inaugural Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic.
The bike shop at 19th and Chestnut Streets is sponsoring the only local men's team in the race, featuring Breakaway Bike's co-owner Joe Wentzell.
"I'm honored to compete in the race, and I'll give it my best shot. And I'm here to work for our guys anyway I can," says Wentzell.
Now 43-years-old and a father of two, he's rail thin and a masters racer, but Wentzell once was a 285-pound defensive tackle at Temple.
Theresa Cliff-Ryan rides for Fearless Femme, which has had 17 podium finishes in 17-races this year.
"With this being the first race like this finishing on the wall, it's tough to predict it," says Theresa.
She is sponsored by a Lambertville bike shop and her own West Philadelphia-based line of cycling apparel.
"I'm really proud and honored to be racing this," she says.
The men's 120-mile race starts Sunday at noon.
The women's 60-mile race starts at 8:30.
