Submitted on 6/7/10 by Karen Brems, Webcor Team Director

The TD Bank Liberty Classic in Philadelphia is always affectionately known as "Philly". This is the biggest 1-day race for women in the US and has been going on since 1994. In 17 years (I have been there for 14 of them!), it has seen many title sponsors come and go, but the course always remains the same. This is also the only UCI sanctioned race in the US. Typically it is a race for the sprinters and most of the winners have been German (7 wins for Petra Rossner and 4 for Ina Teutenburg). The strongest sprinters always seem to be able to make it over the infamous Manayunk wall, which is a steep climb of about 1 km - sometimes even faster than the climbers on the last lap!

With Gina unfortunately unable to race due to the irregular heart rate issues she has been struggling with this spring, Webcor had a smaller, but nonetheless strong team of 5 riders. Joelle finished a strong 6th place out of a select group of 22 riders at the finish containing some of the world's best sprinters.  This was only her 2nd time racing here and the first time she was contesting the final sprint. The rest of the ream rode aggressively and Erinne made the only real break of the day, being off the front by up to about 1 minute for most of the 3rd lap. Ina Teutenburg (Columbia HTC) won the race for the 2nd year in a row, followed by Americans Shelly Evans (Peanut Butter) and Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Colavita).

Erinne, Kathryn, Joelle, Andrea, and I raced the Liberty Classic earlier today.  And... I could just say...yada yada yada, then a sprint finish from a group of about 20, but that probably wouldn't inspire the masses... So...

We started early -  9am (6am west coast time).  It was already African hot. In fact, I have not stopped sweating. Thankfully, (b/c of the danger,) the rain stayed away, and the wind wasn't too bad.

The race was typical Philly from the gun: a big mass of riders with a wide range of ability and experience on a mission to be the first one onto the wall.  I was not. However, I was close enough to be with the main front group. I think Kathryn went for the sprint.  It didn't really matter, though, b/c everything was back together on the main road.
Lap 2 was more of the same.

Lap 3 was a bit more entertaining. Kathryn launched on the long, flat road going out to the wall.  She got a little group away, but the bunch was too fast in pursuit behind.  I tried to help Joelle be in good position before the right turn onto the wall, while Erinne and Andrea were nearby.  After the climb Kathryn and Andrea put in good attacks on the flat road headed back to the S/F. Again, nothing was going to stay away.  We hit the Strawberry climb, and both Erin and I had the same idea. I was attacking on the right, while she was going on the left. She pulled back. I kept going... Then surged again a little over the top into the flattish, cross wind section...sat up and THEN BAM Erinne went flying out of the bunch. HUGE attack and a big gap immediately.  A couple riders tried to get across initially, but they did not. Once Erinne was gone, the bunch was content to look at the teams w/ the sprinters.

Peanut Butter & Co 2012 did most of the work chasing. Tibco and Emilia (from HTC) also chimed in a little. And unfortunately, we caught Erinne just before the wall.  Her valiant effort would only take her so far...ahhh ... Great effort and risk.  If she had one or two other riders with her, she may have stayed away.

After the last time up the wall, I think we (Joelle and I) had about 22 riders in our group. I reminded Joelle to stay alert while I covered the attacks.  Then, going into the final km, I dropped Joelle onto the HTC - Peanut Butter 2012 combo train.  She knew what to do, and I was too cooked to do anything more for her.

The sprint was quite technical with the wind, and I think Ina's experience won the race for her. Joelle was in the mix, though. She'll get it.  She rode very well all day...good position on the climbs...and great effort at the finish.

The team plan for the day involved staying out of trouble, keeping Joelle in good position for the wall, animating things on the third lap, and then guns blazing for the final 500m showdown.

I think we did a pretty good job.  Everyone played a part.

Photo #1: Erinne Willock (Webcor) launches an attack with two laps to go.  Photo: © Jon Devich

Photo #2:  Katherine Mattis launches an attack on the field.  Photo: © Jon Devich

Print | posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 12:00 AM