Caja Rural - Seguros RGA arrived in the US with high ambitions for Sunday’s prestigious one-day race, Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, and Eduard Prades made sure the team had a fantastic day of racing as the Spaniard stormed to victory on the uphill finish.
Riding on Fuji Bikes - whose headquarters are located in Philadelphia - this was one of the most important races for Caja Rural - Seguros RGA this season. Carlos Barbero won the race last year. This time, he helped protecting Prades, setting him up for the win to make it two in a row for the team.
Jonathan Lastra was the first Caja Rural - Seguros RGA rider to show off the green colors as he made it into the main breakaway of the day with 14 other riders. However, the gap never grew over two minutes and as the riders started on the final lap, the break was over.
The peloton kept a very high pace and, at the end, it all came down to the last 800 meters uphill towards the finishing line. With an average gradient of 8 % and maximum gradients of 17 %, The Wall on Lyceum Ave was always set to have a decisive impact on the race. After advice from last year’s winner, Barbero, Prades timed his effort perfectly as he outsprinted Travis McCabe (Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team) and Marco Canola (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team) to take the win.
Eduard Prades said: “We couldn’t have asked for more. To win this race for the second time, in front of our sponsor Fuji Bikes, it’s fantastic. Barbero won here last year. Today, he gave me some important pointers on the final, which really helped me take this victory. Tonight, we will have a good time here in Philadelphia and celebrate this win with Fuji Bikes”.
Sports director Josemi Fernández added: “We are very happy to take another win here at the home of Fuji Bikes. This is a very important victory for us, as this was one of our key races this season. The riders did a great job to set up Prades and he delivered perfectly at the end”.
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