Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former first lady Lisa Nutter are hyped for the Philadelphia Cycling Classic’s comeback, and with only 12 days left until race day on August 30, it’s about time this event got its due. The Nutters are front and center, championing the return of what they say is a huge part of the city’s cycling vibe.
A Champion’s Comeback, A City’s Revival
Seriously, this isn’t just a political push; Lisa Nutter herself is a competitive athlete, hitting indoor track cycling races like a boss. We’re talking a four-time national champion in track cycling, in two different age groups! She’s a sprinter, so her races are lightning-fast, over in mere seconds in the velodrome. And get this: Michael Nutter is her biggest fan, literally videoing all her races. He even narrates, “go baby, go-head baby. Go, now!” That’s some serious ride-or-die support, right? The race disappeared back in 2016 because corporate sponsorship dried up, which Michael Nutter called “sad, quite honestly.” But the push to bring it back kicked off when Philadelphia local and former pro cyclist Carlos Rodgers hit up Lisa Nutter, telling her it was “a good time to reboot the race” after a decade-long hiatus.
International Flavor and Fair Play on the Parkway
This isn’t just some local block party, either. We’re talking serious international reach: 32 teams representing 10 different countries are locked in. The course itself is a beast at 14.4 miles, with male competitors grinding through eight laps and female competitors tackling four. Lisa Nutter puts it perfectly: “It’s a shorter race, which means it’s a faster-paced race; it is a different race. That doesn’t make it less hard.” But here’s the absolute best part: Lisa Nutter was the one who openly questioned why male and female competitors had different prize money amounts, with the dudes getting more cash. Michael Nutter’s administration actually fixed that, making it one of the first international races to require “purse pairing,” meaning the big purses for male and female riders are exactly the same. How awesome is that for fair play in sports? Lisa Nutter got into cycling after dealing with knee injuries from running, and she believes it’s something you can “do long into life.”
Thousands of fans are expected to line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on August 30, where the race kicks off and wraps up. Lisa Nutter is even a co-chair for the event, and she’s ridden the course recreationally herself. European racers dig it because it reminds them of home. Michael Nutter says this event totally reflects the city’s identity, getting spectators right up close to the athletes. Get ready for some serious action, because this race is back and better than ever!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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