Skylar, Carpenter Bring It Home With 2023 Bucks County Classic Wins

DOYLESTOWN, PA — With storm clouds looming and a wet setup it seemed certain the 2023 Bucks County Classic would be a repeat of the previous rain-soaked year.

The day started with the Masters 45+ followed by the category ¾ women and ⅔ men who all raced in wet conditions but by the time the community had their turn to try the course the skies cleared.

When the Doylestown Health Pro Women’s field toed the line course conditions were much improved.

The first attack of the 25-mile race came from Kim Stoveld of Automatic Racing and Skylar Schneider of L39GION followed. Alexi Ramirez of the Miami Blazers bridged across but NCL Miami Nights and THR tried to pull it back and eventually succeeded.

With less than 5 laps to go the rest of L39GION attacked with Arielle Verhaaran of THR, chasing after Skylar and Kim. Skylar came off the front securing her victory and Kim was able to hold off the chase guaranteeing her second place. In the end, L39GION went 1, 3 with Sam Schneider taking third.

After nearly 100 kids took to the course for the kids’ races it was time for the Thompson Pro Men’s race, the race that started it all 19 years ago.

Future racers are headed to a big finish. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

With some of the top teams and riders in the country present the stage was set for the show the thousands of spectators had come to see.

The race started out without much movement but after the first prime racers began jostling for position.

After two laps of this, Robin Carpenter of L39GION and Tyler Stites of Project Echelon made their move. Multiple groups chased including Project Echelon who seemed not completely content with the formation and attempted to get another rider in the break. Several iterations of chase groups went but no one could make a dent in the leaders.

Robin Carpenter takes the win in the Thompson Pro Men's Race. (Photo by Mike Maney)

After ten laps of chasing the group called a truce and the gap stabilized at 40 seconds. The next serious chase was Hugo Scala of Project Echelon who bridged the gap halfway solo for about five laps. Once Hugo was caught the field seemed to resign to racing for third place and Carpenter and Stites widened the gap until they had the rear of the group in sight with six laps to go.

At the same time a group of five broke away from the field and it looked like they would walk away with the race for third. With one lap to go Dušan Kubala of ButcherBox attacked, making it clear that he would have to be dealt with to secure the remaining podium spot.

In the final uphill sprint Kyle Murphy, 2022 US National Road Champion, showed his experience giving L39GION a repeat result of the women’s race taking first and third place.

Cheering on the cyclists in Doylestown. (Photo by Steve Kovarik)

The Bucks County Classic is a criterium in Doylestown. 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 2024 the race will mark its 20th Anniversary in part thanks to the continued support of the Borough of Doylestown and their commitment to cycling. 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.