Blue skies, large fields and record crowds mark 20th Anniversary Bucks County Classic

September 9, 2024

Doylestown, PA September 9, 2024/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – After consecutive years of rain all were hopeful that the milestone 20th Anniversary Bucks County Classic would be accentuated with the predictions of sun and ideal racing weather. With a rainy setup the night before race day some had started preparing for a repeat of prior years’ slick streets and damp spectating. During the pre-race dinner and social at the Doylestown Fire Company, while borough officials, Doylestown Public Works, racers and volunteers gathered, all fears were quelled when the sky broke and a double rainbow displayed proudly over downtown Doylestown and the Bucks County Classic start finish line.

The anniversary race started as the sun cleared the tops of the buildings with a chilly breeze sending the Masters full tilt into this memorable day. As the morning warmed and the spectators grew more emphatic, the Amateur mens and womens outstanding performance lit the town up for what was to come. Bike enthusiasts and race lovers took to the course for the Marshall Financial Group community ride followed later by over 100 participants in the crowd favorite Jarrett Vaughan Builders kids race as the streets filled and the cheers grew louder.

The Doylestown Health Pro Women’s field, stacked with past winners and national champions, toed the line mid day for a 25 mile race. With so much strength and experience in the group it was certain to be a race of attrition. Automatic ABUS, Miami Blazers and Goldman Sachs were a few of the teams to attempt breakaways, but with relentless counter attacks at the front not one managed to stick. The teams continued their attempts with different combinations of riders, keeping the spectators in suspense as each lap passed. With only a few laps to go there was still no telling as to who would take the jersey. The field began to string out as they made the final climb to the finish sprinting for the line. Marlies Mejias Garcia, of Virginia Blue Ridge TWENTY24, took the win with the Schneider sisters less than a bike length away, putting Skylar in 2nd and Samantha 3rd. Mejias-Garcia teammate, Liza Ray, took the Singlecare Most Aggressive rider jersey.

The Thompson Pro Men lined up next in front of a packed crowd, for 100 kilometers of some of the hardest racing of the season. The lengthened course and anniversary edition brought out scores of racers who throughout the years had raced with and against each other, each knowing exactly what the other was capable of. This dynamic, coupled with a crosswind made for cagey racing and negated the possibility of one racer gaining the momentum to get up the road as in previous editions.

The first group to make a move included 2023 winner Robin Carpenter of L39GION of Los Angeles. The group was absorbed back by the peloton but seemed almost relieved to have been. A second break was able to get off the front with more than a 30 second gap and it seemed as though the race was decided. Automatic ABUS went into full attack mode to bring the group back and the race reset. The last forty-five minutes were a nonstop barrage, with each attack lasting only long enough for the next to gain the traction needed. With less than 5 laps to go the attacks stopped and Project Echelon Racing and Miami Blazers led a group out front with all falling into form for their lead outs. The sprinters stepped out together in the final lap, visibly shattered. At 150 meters to go Marcos Mendez of Rockland Development Program went full gas and all followed suit. With more left in his tank than the others he secured the victory with Lucas Burgoyne, Austin Outlaws claiming 2nd and Tyler Williams, Miami Blazers, 3rd. Patrick Welch, Above and Beyond Cancer Cycling Team p/b Bike World was the clear choice for the Singlecare Most Aggressive Rider jersey spending most of his first Bucks County Classic in the lead group.

The Bucks County Classic is a criterium in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The 1.4 mile 8 turn course with 90 feet of climbing per lap was designed by former National Champion John Eustice. The race features sharp and sweeping turns, high speed descents and an uphill finish all within the picturesque community of Doylestown, which has won multiple Best Small Town in America awards. In addition to being home to a national race Doylestown is a certified bike friendly community with bike shops, clubs and a team, a pump track, bike racks throughout town and 25 miles of trails, shared roadways and side-paths that connect to the Pennsylvania system of trails.

The race is organized by MSH Productions LLC and made possible by the support of the Borough of Doylestown and local businesses. 2024’s sponsors are: the Thompson Organization, Doylestown Health, Eastburn & Gray P.C., SingleCare, Bucks County Tourism Grant, Customers Bank, Doylestown Health Foundation, Marshall Financial Group, Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S Blumberg Institute and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Verge Sport, Jarrett Vaughan Builders Inc, Beth Snyder Dentistry, UNDRBUDR, Ellen Happ Architect, Bridge Acupuncture, Encore Rides, Alderfer Auction and BikeWorks Doylestown.