Bickmore and Garcia sprint to victory at 2026 Bucks County Classic

September 15, 2026

September 15, 2026 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 22nd edition of the Bucks County Classic took place on Sunday September 13th in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Over 300 participants from 21 states and 8 countries ranging from age 3 to 70 took to the course for a full day of festivities. After a rainy start for the masters and amateur races the sky began to clear for the community ride on the course. With improved conditions for the Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Pro Women, Jarrett Vaughan Builders Kids Race, and Thompson Pro Men crowds lined the entire length of the course and packed the start finish line.

With the streets still wet for the start of the Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Pro Women’s race a crash occurred on lap three at the notorious second turn splintering the field. A group of sixteen including former winners Skylar and Sam Schneider, and Marlies Mejias Garcia and a squad from Automatic went ahead in front. Crucially missing was 2021 winner Paola Muñoz.

Attacks continued led by Skylar and Automatic Racing with Marlies never leaving Skylar’s wheel. Barbara Guarischi of Team SD Worx–Protime, making her first appearance at the race, stayed in the lead group and took every field prime. The finish came down to an incredible sprint with Mejias Garcia making the first move for the win.

Automatic Racing new recruit Lisa Bone, of South Africa, was aggressive in trying to further split the field. Her efforts would award her the LiUNA Local 158 Most Combative Rider Award.

2026 Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Pro Women Podium:

1. Marlies Mejias Garcia, Team Virginia’s Blue Ridge–Twenty28
2. Skylar Schneider, L39ion of Los Angeles
3. Barbara Guarischi, Team SD Worx–Protime

The first break in the Thompson Pro Men’s race came early, only a few laps in. They were away for a few laps until another break occurred that stuck the remainder of the race with Team Cadence Cyclery pb Waldo Racing, Kelly Benefits Cycling, Visit Pittsburgh, Total Civil Construction, and Bike Works pb Fred Beans all represented. A series of attempts to catch them were made by Rockland Talent and Big Hit Racing NYC but each time the chase was shut down. As the bell was rung for the Eastburn and Gray, PC prime lap with 11 laps to go the break lapped the field.

2025 winner Lucas Bourgoyne, just coming back to racing after recovering from a recent surgery, pulled himself out with two laps to go to direct the team to victory from the sidelines. Teammates Sam Smith and Danny Summerhill got into position to set Cade Bickmore up for the win. Kelly Benefits Cycling also got into position for a final sprint with Alejandro Che, U23 National Champion, Julien Ruhe, and Dillon Lee. A suspenseful final sprint ensued with Bickmore coming out on top and Kelly Benefits taking 2nd and 3rd.

2026 Thompson Pro Men Podium:

1. Cade Bickmore, Team Cadence Cyclery pb Waldo Racing
2. Julien Ruhe, Kelly Benefits Cycling
3. Dillon Lee, Kelly Benefits Cycling

Local team Bike Works pb Fred Beans had a strong presence and good result with Ian Witkowski in the break and taking home the LiUNA Local 158 Most Combative Rider Award.

The Bucks County Classic is a criterium in Doylestown, Pennsylvania owned and directed by Laura Reppert. 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 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.

The 2026 race was made possible through support from: The Borough of Doylestown, the Thompson Organization, Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, Eastburn & Gray P.C., Heavy and Highway Construction Laborer’s Local 158, Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Foundation, Bucks County Tourism Grant, LevelBlue, Jarrett Vaughan Builders Inc, Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S Blumberg Institute and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, LiUNA, TD Bank, Inspired Closets, Max’s Electric Bikes, Heiler Painting, Bridge Acupuncture, Encore Rides, G5 Performance, and Verge Sport.