Trends Reviews and Recaps

Big-time cycling race (see “U.S. Riders Sweep Top Three Spots,” by Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer):

Color yesterday’s Wachovia USPro Championship in Philadelphia red, white and blue. For only the second time in the 21-year history of the event, the top three finishers were Americans.

Chris Wherry, 31, of the Health Net Maxxis team, outlasted countrymen Danny Pate and Chris Horner yesterday to win the $40,000 first prize in the grueling 156-mile race that started and finished on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Riders overcame tough weather conditions: Temperatures neared 90 degrees and the humidity was stifling. Organizers, however, estimated that the crowd once again topped 500,000.

I’ve never been sure what cycling race spectators are watching, but a turn-out like that has to make the riders feel pretty good.