Powerful Brit Takes Philly Crown

Philadelphia, USA, June 5, 1994

1994 Champion: Sean Yates (GBr) 251 kms (156 miles) in 6h04’25” (41.43km/h)
1994 US National Champion: (5th) Steve Hegg (USA)

The milestone 10th Anniversary of the CoreStates USPRO championships brought together a strong international field (a record 167 riders) to challenge Philadelphia’s 251 kms (156 miles) race course. World Champion Lance Armstrong led a powerful Motorola team with hopes of defending his 1993 USPRO victory.

As the starter’s pistol fired the race began at precisely 9 AM. The huge peloton cruised down Kelly Drive at a cautious pace on the first lap. Approaching the first ascent of the Manayunk Wall the pace accelerated. Over the climb a 24 rider breakaway maintained a sizeable gap. With 147 miles still to go the chase from the peloton was minimal. The breakaway had a two minute lead at the end of the third lap.

World Champion Lance Armstrong climbs the Manayunk Wall

The pace in the breakaway increased noticeably when Coors Light’s director Len Pettyjohn ordered David Mann to the front. On the next three laps the time gap extended to 13 minutes. Mann’s job was done with 67 miles to go, but the race for the victory was just starting. 

Attacks came in rapid succession on the eighth lap. A new group of 14 riders formed on the flat section after the ninth climb of the Manayunk Wall. Once the group came together Motorola’s Sean Yates, who had suffered on the Wall, counter-attacked. 

With 27 miles to the finish the group did not start the chase immediately. Eventually Canadian Brian Walton took up the chase solo and closed to 19 seconds at the start of the final large lap.  Walton continued to keep Yates in sight, but going over the Wall for the final time Yates had a 28 second lead. The powerful British rider entered the final three short laps (Lemon Loops) 1’10” ahead of Walton, who was joined by Polti’s Bruno Boscardin (Sui). 

A second race was developing back in the 16 rider chasing group. The competition for the Stars and Stripes Jersey was beginning to heat up.

Sean Yates executes the winning solo attack

A super effort by Sean Yates gained the 34 year old a huge victory in the 10th Anniversary of the CoreStates USPRO championships road race. 

New Zealander Graeme Miller provoked the battle for the National Championship Jersey by attacking and taking Steve Hegg with him.  Americans Scott Fortner and Mike Engleman tried to close but came up just short with Steve Hegg rolling across the finish line for the US National Championship victory.

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