Tour of Pennsylvania route announced

By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor

The new U25 Tour of Pennsylvania revealed the cities that will play hosts for the six-day stage race, working its way east to west between the state's two biggest cities -- Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. In typical American cycling fashion, the race is book-ended by two criteriums in the two cities, with a prologue on June 24 starting it all. To date, 18 teams have accepted invitations to race with a complete field of 20 to 22 teams expected.

"The Tour of Pennsylvania offers $150,000 in total prize money, the richest in the world for Espoir class riders," David Chauner, Pro Cycling Tour president said in a release. "Plus it is the only UCI sanctioned race in the U.S. specifically for riders under age 25. Our technical team has designed a route that will test the endurance, power and technical skill of these young athletes who are on the road to becoming cycling's next Olympians and Tour de France competitors."

In addition to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the host cities include Downingtown, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Bedford, Latrobe and Ligonier.

Stage 1: Prologue Time Trial/Philadelphia Criterium - 2 mile prologue/25 mile criterium
Stage 2: Downingtown to Carlisle - 91 miles
Stage 3: Camp Hill to Bedford - 104 miles
Stage 4: Bedford to Latrobe - 60 miles
Stage 5: Ligonier to Pittsburgh - 83 miles
Stage 6: Pittsburgh Criterium - 50 miles