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Philadelphia Cycling Classic 2026 preview: Powless and Simmons on a selective city circuit

Powless, Simmons, Vermaerke, Menten and De Lie give Philadelphia a favorites list built around the Manayunk Wall and a sprint that may never fully form.

Favorites

Neilson Powless

Powless and Simmons are the natural attacking references, Kevin Vermaerke adds American depth, and Menten and De Lie keep a reduced sprint in play.

Quinn Simmons

Quinn Simmons has the finish or punch to win if the final group stays small enough.

Kevin Vermaerke

Kevin Vermaerke fits the race because the decisive move should require durability before speed.

Milan Menten

Milan Menten becomes dangerous if the favorites hesitate before the last selection.

Arnaud De Lie

Arnaud De Lie can win from a reduced group if the race is harder than the sprint teams want.

Philadelphia Cycling Classic 2026

Philadelphia is at its best when the Manayunk Wall turns the race into a city-circuit attrition test. That makes Neilson Powless and Quinn Simmons more than home-interest names.

Why this race matters

A strong men’s race in Philadelphia would be a major signal for American road racing’s visibility.

Route and pressure points

Repeated climbs should split the race into riders who can keep accelerating and riders hoping the front group slows down.

Favorites for the win

Powless and Simmons are the natural attacking references, Kevin Vermaerke adds American depth, and Menten and De Lie keep a reduced sprint in play. The current favorites card is led by Neilson Powless, Quinn Simmons, Kevin Vermaerke, Milan Menten and Arnaud De Lie.

What could change the race

If Milan Menten or Arnaud De Lie survives with help, the climbers need to attack before the final lap.

Recent context

The race’s older identity was built on the same idea: repeated city climbs create winners with real durability.