'We can make quick decisions' - Megan Guarnier returns to racing

Megan Guarnier of the CCB Kenetik p/b Levine Law Firm team switched from managing her team from the car to racing her bike at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, scheduled for August 30, 2026. Guarnier, a former Women’s WorldTour champion and three-time USPro road champion, had retired from racing after 2018 but made a return earlier this year, finishing 11th at the USPro Road National Championships.

Guarnier has previously held a role as a director, allowing Technical Director Tim Mitchell to handle international races while she managed the domestic schedule. For the upcoming Philadelphia Cycling Classic, she will join her squad on the road, a return to a race she won in 2016, marking the last time the event was held before its revival this year.

"We can make quick decisions and execute confidently, while drawing on my experience from my time in the peloton," Guarnier stated, emphasizing the advantages of being directly involved in the race. She continued, "In this scenario, I can provide first-hand insights compared to being in the driver's seat and hearing updates over the radio."

The US National Team additionally lost a strong rider to injury, prompting Guarnier's decision to race and ensure a full representation from her team. While some members will race at the Giro della Toscana Femminile in Italy from August 27-30, Guarnier aims to support her younger teammates during the iconic Philadelphia race.

Guarnier’s younger teammates, including Jorja Bond, Ella Brenneman, Lizzie Gunsalus, Sabrina Hayes, and Elizabeth Grier, average about half of her age, with most not even out of grade school when she won the Philadelphia race a decade ago. Among those missing from the team lineup is Lyllie Sonneman, recovering from injuries sustained in a recent race in Belgium.

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic route will once again feature the challenging Manayunk climb, following its traditional course used from 1985 to 2012, beginning and ending at Logan Circle and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Guarnier’s extensive experience aims to guide her younger teammates as they navigate this iconic circuit.