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Organizer calls cycling races in Bucks a big hit

Soggy conditions last weekend did not discourage crowds from gathering in New Hope and Doylestown to watch the Thompson Bucks County Classic on Saturday and the Criterium of Doylestown on Sunday.

Riders compete Saturday in the Thompson Bucks County Classic bike race. The Criterium of Doylestown race followed Sunday.
Riders compete Saturday in the Thompson Bucks County Classic bike race. The Criterium of Doylestown race followed Sunday.Read moremarcoquezada.com

Soggy conditions last weekend did not discourage crowds from gathering in New Hope and Doylestown to watch the Thompson Bucks County Classic on Saturday and the Criterium of Doylestown on Sunday.

If anything, the rain underscored the events' success, according to John Eustice, the event director.

"It was raining . . . and we still had a big crowd," Eustice said. "It's great that it rained, because it's proof that people loved the race."

On Saturday, about 200 men competed in a 100-mile race from Doylestown to New Hope for the international title of UCI Champion of the Americas. Canadian Zachary Bell finished first.

On Sunday, riders from 18 countries competed in the 60-mile criterium races for both men and women.

Looking ahead to next year, Eustice said he hopes to include a women's road race Saturday and live stream more than just the men's road race.

"It's going to be another year of hard work and constant, consistent building of the event," Eustice said. "We made a big jump this year. I don't know how it got bigger, but it was a much, much bigger event."

kflynn@philly.com

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