May 14, 2003 – Six-time winner of the Wachovia (formerly First Union) Liberty Classic Petra Rossner (Nürnberger) will be back to defend her title at the race's tenth edition on June 8. Rossner has won all but one of the last seven editions of the race, which is part of the Wachovia Series and Pro Cycling Tour Series.

The current German champion, Rossner's last five victories at the Liberty Classic were gained while riding for the Saturn team. When Saturn scaled back its women's program for 2003, Rossner moved to German-based Nürnberger but is looking forward to a return to the US to defend her title.

“It is very exciting for me to be returning to Philadelphia. I know that it will not be easy to bring the number in the win column to seven,” said Rossner. “It is a great honor to be called to the start line as the defending champion. And I can tell you that sprinting in front of thousands of cheering fans goes a long way to making me go very fast.”

But Rossner is unlikely to have things all her own way. US teams in particular will be looking for a first in the tenth anniversary Wachovia Liberty Classic: a win for a domestic rider after nine years of domination by visiting overseas racers. Likely to put Rossner under pressure are Laura Van Gilder of Saturn, who finished second in the 2002 race; Dede Demet Barry of T-Mobile, third in 2002; and Tina Mayolo-Pic of Diet Rite.

The Wachovia Liberty Classic shares the same course as the men's USPRO Championship, with the women starting 10 minutes after the men.

2003 Wachovia Liberty Classic teams

Canadian National (Can)
Century Road Club (USA)
Colavita Bolla (USA)
Diet Rite (USA)
Equipe Nürnberger (Ger)
Freddie Fu (USA)
Genesis Scuba/FFCC (USA)
Japanese National Team (Jpn)
Los Gatos Bicycling Racing Club (USA)
LSV/Trek/VW (USA)
Richard Sachs Women's (USA)
Rona-Esker (Can)
Saturn (USA)
Snow Valley (USA)
TDS Cycling Team (Can)
Team Basis (USA)
Team Fuji (USA)
Team T Mobile USA Cycling (USA)
Tri State Velo Amoroso (USA)
Velo Clips NCVC (USA)
Verizon Wireless Cervelo Velo (USA)
Victory Brewing/Amoroso (Can)