The Valley Preferred Cycling Center

Have you ever watched the world-class athletes who compete regularly at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center and thought “Hey, I’d like to try that” –but found yourself a bit hesitant after a closer look at our 333.3-meter, 28-degree banked track? Well, here’s your chance to Try The Track and learn track cycling from some of the best racers in velodrome history.

Guys On Track! and Girls On Track! is an Introductory Clinic for cyclists age 12 or older who know how to ride a bike but want to Try The Track for the first time or hone their skills. Sessions are designed to introduce riders to riding the track with strength, confidence and proper etiquette.

Our professional, certified coaches will introduce recreational and fitness cyclists to the exciting sport of track cycling and welcome them to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Learn to ride, train and even race the track from some of the best racers to ever ride the Valley Preferred Cycling Center as they coach and encourage you through this exciting day.

Guys On Track! and Girls On Track! registration is limited to 30 riders to ensure an ideal coach-to-rider ratio. Remember, all you have to bring is a helmet and a willingness to try something new. Track bikes are provided by Valley Preferred Cycling Center

Click here to register for Guys on Track, and click here to sign up for Girls on Track.

Having trouble deciding? Check out this video:

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

After ten exciting weeks of the World Series of Bicycling, it’s going to take the T-town faithful a couple of weeks to get used to having a Friday night free.  It’s no doubt that this year’s pro racing slate at Valley Preferred Cycling Center was one of the most thrilling displays of the sport. 

From Eddie Dawkins giving the Kiwis their first Keirin Cup win, to Matt Baranoski punching his ticket to Junior Worlds, to Italy’s Roberto Chiappa claiming the title of Fastest Man on Wheels, it was a season to remember for all velodrome fans.  

And… on the women’s side, Kim Geist, Willy Kanis, Joanne Kiesenowski and Laura McCaughey, and others, put on a great show for the fans.

With all the great races in 2010, the question still remains: Which race was the best of 2010? 

Want More Racing? Valley Preferred Cycling Center still has two exciting Super Tuesday events this season. Come on out to T-town on Tuesday nights as the 24-7 Fitness Club Pro-Am Series and Bear Creek Future Stars series wind their seasons down over the next couple of weeks. We’re live September 7 and on September 14. Racing starts at 7:30. Admission is free.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

While another great season of the World Series of Bicycling has come to close, the exciting pro racing hasn’t completely ended at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.  We’ve got three weeks left of Super Tuesday.  The final events events are set for August 31, September 7 and September 14.  The mid-week 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series rolls off at Valley Preferred Cycling Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.   Our Pro-Am Series features Category 1-3 riders — some of the best up-and-coming racers in cycling — as they match their skills against many of our Friday night pros.  Meanwhile, the Future Stars series showcases future National, World and Olympic champions as they hone their skills against other racers their age from across the Lehigh Valley and the United States.  It’s a great night of racing.

We just wrapped up arguably one of the most exciting seasons in World Series of Bicycling history, and it feels like time flew by.  Now is a good time to remind T-town fans that our annual Fall Flea Market is slated for Saturday, October 2.  That’s right around the bend.  To put it bluntly, start putting money away now for the blowout savings that make Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s flea markets popular up and down the east coast.

As many of you may already know, Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts the the nation’s premier and longest running cycling-specific flea market.  The Fall event has been so successful that the velodrome added a Spring date.  But the Fall shindig remains king.  Over 150 commercial and private vendors will be present with products for sale including new and used bikes, components, equipment, apparel and more.  You can pick up all of your gear-related cycling needs, while spending pennies on the dollar!

Commercial Vendors are on hand to reduce inventory, clear overstock and blow out current models. Their stock is your gain.

• High-zoot swag at clearance sale prices
• No reasonable offer refused
• Everything must go

Private Vendors from near and far make a semi-annual pilgrimage to the concrete crater for some serious iron horse trading.

• Does your car not fit in your garage?
• Do you ” squirrel away” derailleurs and brake calipers for a rainy day?
• Is your basement easily mistaken for an eBay warehouse?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you fit the profile of a private vendor. Convert your dust collectors into CASH. Click here registration form.

All things velo represented:

• Road
• Track
• Cyclocross
• Mountain Bike
• BMX
• Single Speed
• Fixie
• Unicycles/High Wheelers
• Clothing
• And more

2010 Fall Bicycle Flea Market –

Valley Preferred Cycling Center wrapped up its 35th anniversary season with its biggest crowd in years. Nearly 3,000 fans turned out in T-town to see tonight’s Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus.

The event was jam-packed with great racing and a showcase of wonderful causes. While the Madison Cup has traditionally been a good draw for the velodrome, this year’s event pushed the needle in getting community support.

The pro racing stayed on brand: fast and exciting. The event had a little of everything; intense racing and a couple of spectacular crashes. The Madison Cup has a rich history of winners, and riders from ten different countries claimed the prize. But tonight, it was just a couple of local guys that etched their names on the Bob Rodale Trophy. New Tripoli’s Jackie Simes and Topton’s Bobby Lea won the Madison Cup.

Simes and Lea wrapped up the win with about eight laps to go in the final 30K Madison by taking a lap on the field. The move definitely excited the crowd and raised the decibel level to an evening high. For their part, the flyer was calculated, and in the end paid off.

“We had talked about taking a lap on the field before that last race,” said Simes. “We thought we were doing alright in the sprints. We also thought we were strong, so we figured we sprint the first half of the race and then later on we’d look for a chance to take a lap. That opportunity presented itself after a sprint. When I through Bobby in he was fresh and it seemed like everyone else was tired. So he just took off. We got the lap and just kept extending the lead. It’s awesome to win this race.”

Another U.S. duo – Shane Kline and Iggy Silva – finished second, while American Jame Carney teamed with Aussie Clay Murfet to take third.

In women’s action, Kiwi Joanne Kiesenowski and American Kim Geist were front runners most of the night. Kiesenowski won the Elimination race and the 10 Lap Scratch, while Geist scored an overall victory in the 15 Lap Points Race. South Africa’s Ilze Bole won the final points sprint of the season.

Click here for a photo gallery of tonight’s event.

Rider of the Year: Geist’s good night wrapped up the Morning Call 2010 Rider of the Year Award. On the men’s side, Kiwi Aaron Gate claimed that honor last week during Rodale Corporate Challenge.

Youth is Served: DeSales University presented a special engagement of the Bear Creek Future Stars series. The series, which typically runs on Tuesday nights, was a welcome addition to the Madison Cup card. The two races were swept by Tyler Nothstein, who won the 5 Lap Scratch and the Unknown Distance.

Spokes of Hope: During the second intermission, the organization Spokes for Hope took a “Victory Lap” to bring awareness to a program that helps connect cancer survivors with people currently in treatment. The group is led by two-time cancer survivor and a three-time national cycling champion Cindi Hart.

“Cycling is part of my identity; it’s who I am, and I’m not going to let cancer take that away from me,” said Hart. “I’ve been bike racing for 20 years, I’ve been a survivor for six. I’m using the medium that is closest to my heart to try and make a difference in life. With Spokes of Hope, our primary goal is to change the way that cancer is perceived and connect survivors – people that have been through cancer treatment and survived it – with people currently in treatment, so that they know that there is life beyond chemotherapy. We’ve been there, we know what it feels like.”

The lap at Valley Preferred Cycling Center is only one event of many on the Spokes of Hope’s 2010 calendar. Hart said the group “is riding from cancer center to cancer center across the country – hometown to hometown – ultimately to deliver our message to Washington, D.C., on December 16th.”

Life Without Lupus: When tonight’s Madison Cup kicked off, presenting sponsor Life Without Lupus took to the track to raise awareness for lupus and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. The 14 Madison Cup teams rode two abreast in a few parade laps decked out in orange jerseys. There was no doubt that this effort made good on its goal.

“My brother, Andy, and I were on the front, and we both turned around saw a mass of orange,” said Chris Paradysz, who is a board member of Life Without Lupus and led the parade laps. “All those 28 riders, all for the same reason. It was very inspiring. Lots and lots of people know about lupus that never did before.”

Flea Market: With the 2010 World Series of Bicycling in the books, Valley Preferred Cycling Center now turns its attention to the Fall Flea Market. This annual event is the largest cycling-specific flea market in the U.S. The event is slated for October 2. Click here for more details.

Want More Racing? Valley Preferred Cycling Center still has some exciting racing left this season. Come on out to T-town on Tuesday nights as the 24-7 Fitness Club Pro-Am Series and Bear Creek Future Stars series wind their seasons down over the next few weeks. Racing starts at 7:30. Admission is free.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus is going to feature some of the world’s best cyclists.  T-town fans often wonder which riders will team up for this prestigious event.  Teams are still being put together, but we have some early favorites.  We’re putting our fans to task to help us figure out which of these teams has the best chance to etch their name on the Bob Rodale Trophy.  But first, a chance to win free tickets to Friday’s event.

Trivia Question: The first person who can answer our trivia question will receive a pair of General Admission tickets to Friday night’s Madison Cup. Valley Preferred Cycling Center staff will use the timestamp on the email to determine the winner. Here’s the question:

How many different nations are represented on the Bob Rodale Trophy?

Send your answers to info@thevelodrome.com.

Poll Position: Okay, now for the poll:

Event Details: Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

August 27 has been circled on calendars of T-town fans all year. Whether just a spectator or an elite pro cyclist, the Madison Cup at Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a favorite. This year’s Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus promises to wrap up the 2010 World Series of Bicycling in grand fashion.

“There is going to be incredible racing this Friday night,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “The Madison Cup has always been a popular night for us. It’s a great show for the fans, and the riders really like to get involved in this prestigious event. We’ll have about 15 teams going battling it out for the win. This is the event you don’t want to miss.”

The electricity of the Madison Cup has been lighting up T-town for years. The unique event that features teams of riders working together to beat the competition packs a punch that gets fans’ attention. The Madison features a field or riders slicing and dicing as they pursue coveted track position in an effort to distance themselves from the competition.

Since it’s the biggest night of the year, the event touts so much more than just professional bicycle racing.

Life Without Lupus: As a presenting sponsor of the night’s feature card – Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV – Life Without Lupus hopes to raise awareness for S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, one of the nation’s leading lupus organizations.

Most T-town fans remember Chris Paradysz’ record-setting ride in April 2009 to raise awareness and funds for lupus. Paradysz, a board member of Life Without Lupus, bested the 24-hour track record held by Curt Bond, at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, going on to establish a new record of 416.09 miles (669.63 kilometers) biked in 24 hours. The previous record of 391.29 miles (629.72 kilometers) was set in 1980.

Paradysz set the new mark in a jersey of the foundation’s color, orange. During rider introductions on Friday, the pros will be introduced wearing orange jerseys to draw attention to the cause.

Spokes of Hope: During an intermission on Friday night, Valley Preferred Cycling Center will host a “Victory Lap” to build awareness for cancer’s impact on our community and to raise optimism and hope for cancer patients, survivors, and their families, friends and caregivers. The effort is a local rallying point for the Spokes of Hope national organization.

The Victory Lap is open to participants of any age, who will roll onto the track during the first intermission, and ride a “Victory Lap” led by Lehigh Valley native and cancer patient Jack Knudson. All participants should bring their own bikes. Click here for more information.

Hall Pass: Valley Preferred Cycling Center will induct two new members into its Hall of Fame this Friday night during Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus. This year’s class includes a couple of significant “firsts” for the velodrome.

Ian Jackson, or “The General” as many fans know him, is the first Australian cyclist to spend the summer in T-town. He’s joined by Scranton’s Dave Lettieri, who has the distinction of being the first Air Products Developmental Cycling Program graduate to make an Olympic team. Lettieri graduated the program in 1977 and competed in the 1988 Seoul Games.

“This class is a phenomenal representation of the great cyclists we’ve had here,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “Ian Jackson, always a crowd-favorite, was one of the strongest riders we’ve ever had here on the track. Dave Lettieri, the first Olympian to come out of the Air Products program, is just fantastic. He set the bar early on, and many have followed since. It’s going to be a great night to honor these guys and get them into the Hall of Fame.”

Ol’ College Try: In a show of cycling’s future, DeSales University presents the Bear Creek Future Stars series on Friday night. These stars of tomorrow have been honing their skills on Tuesday nights all year, so they should be good and ready for a night under the lights during a World Series of Bicycling event.

DeSales University is using the showcase to push its Sport and Exercise Science program. So why partner with Valley Preferred Cycling Center? According to the university, “Competitive cycling has most effectively used laboratory and field testing of its athletes to achieve its best performances.”

Kidding Around: The HealthAmerica PeeWee Pedalers will enjoy their night under the lights at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The kids, ages 5-8, have been training for this night for weeks. After completing the popular bike skills and safety course, the PeeWee Pedalers get to take several laps in front of our Friday night crowd before completing an obstacle course to the podium area. The PeeWee Pedalers Promenade always serves as a reminder of the joy we can take in simply riding a bike.

Event Details: Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Dave Lettieri and Ian Jackson - Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Valley Preferred Cycling Center will induct two new members into its Hall of Fame this Friday night during Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus. This year’s class includes a couple of significant “firsts” for the velodrome.

Ian Jackson, or “The General” as many fans know him, is the first Australian cyclist to spend the summer in T-town. He’s joined by Scranton’s Dave Lettieri, who has the distinction of being the first Air Products Developmental Cycling Program graduate to make an Olympic team. Lettieri graduated the program in 1977 and competed in the 1988 Seoul Games.

“This class is a phenomenal representation of the great cyclists we’ve had here,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “Ian Jackson, always a crowd-favorite, was one of the strongest riders we’ve ever had here on the track. Dave Lettieri, the first Olympian to come out of the Air Products program, is just fantastic. He set the bar early on, and many have followed since. It’s going to be a great night to honor these guys and get them into the Hall of Fame.”

Being inducted into the Hall is no small feat. The voting panel includes current Hall of Famers, so to get the nod from other cycling greats is a tremendous show of respect for anyone inducted.

Another thing that makes the annual Hall of Fame ceremony special in T-town is that it’s sort of a throwback to the loyal, longtime fans. It’s a night to see their heroes of yesteryear come back and salute the crowd. For the new fans, we’ve got you covered. Here are the bios of our 2010 Hall of Fame class:

Ian “The General” Jackson: From Melbourne, Ian “The General” Jackson was the first of many Australians to make the T-Town Velodrome his home. After racing in Belgium for three years, the rugged 22-year old quickly became a Velodrome crowd favorite. His cunning and speed earned him repeated wins on the track in 1975 through 1984, including the 1984 Madison Cup victory with teammate Jeff “The Rocket” Rutter.

In 1981 Ian turned pro for America’s Panasonic/Shimano team where his winning style and Aussie accent made him an ideal spokesman for the renewal of pro cycling in America. In addition to his countless victories on the track, Ian won some of the most prestigious American road races and criteriums of the era including New York City’s “Apple Lap”, Washington DC’s “National Capital Open”, Raleigh, NC’s “Capital Cup” and the “Witches Cup” of Salem, Massachusetts.

After retiring from pro racing, Ian served as the Velodrome’s Technical Director from 1985 to 1987. He continued to race competitively, winning two Masters National Road Championships in 1988 and 1998.

Dave Lettieri: Dave Lettieri, from Scranton, PA, is the first cyclist from the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program to compete in the Olympic games. This grassroots cycling program was instrumental in launching his career. After being coached in 1977 by Nelson Saldana and Jerry Ash, Dave went on to win multiple Pennsylvania State Track and Road Championships. In 1979 Dave was the Intermediate National Track Champion. In 1981 he won the Junior National Pursuit Championship in Trexlertown. In 1982, he won the Junior National Track Omnium and Individual Pursuit Championship.

After leaving the junior ranks, his success followed him. In 1983, he won the National Team Pursuit Championship. In 1985 Dave placed fifth in the Team Pursuit at the World Championships in Italy, followed by a return to the World Championships in 1986 and 1987.

Lettieri competed in the Goodwill Games in Moscow in 1986. In 1987, he won the National Team Pursuit Championship in Trexlertown. The same year, Dave’s gold medal for Team Pursuit at the Pan-American Games in Indianapolis earned him a spot on the USA Team Pursuit squad for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

Following his racing career, Dave managed professional teams from 1992 through 1996, and was Lance Armstrong¹s personal mechanic during the 2000 Tour De France. He currently resides in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he owns a popular bicycle shop.

Induction Ceremony: Jackson and Lettieri will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during Friday night’s Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV presented by Life Without Lupus at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

On Friday, August 27, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center will host a “Victory Lap” around Trexlertown’s legendary velodrome during the season finale of Friday night racing to build awareness for cancer’s impact on our community and to raise optimism and hope for cancer patients, survivors, and their families, friends and caregivers.

This event is a local rallying point for the Spokes of Hope national organization (www.spokesofhope.org) dedicated to supporting individuals fighting cancer, and is open to participants of any age (young children should be accompanied by an adult), who will roll onto the track (or flat “apron” at the base of the track) during the first racing intermission, and ride a “Victory Lap” led by 7-year old Lehigh Valley native and cancer patient Jack Knudson, surrounded by the cheers and bell-ringing of thousands of fans in attendance.

 All participants should bring their own bikes, and may check in at the VPCC ticket window upon arrival for complimentary admission tickets from Bicycling Magazine. There will be an optional practice/warm-up session led by Spokes of Hope founder and certified coach Cindi Hart from 4:00-5:00PM on the track on the day of the event.

More on Spokes of Hope: http://www.kenhart.com/soh/

“You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right.”  Spell it however you like, as long as you spend the evening in T-town.  The mid-week 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series rolls off at Valley Preferred Cycling Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.   Our Pro-Am Series features Category 1-3 riders — some of the best up-and-coming racers in cycling — as they match their skills against many of our Friday night pros.  Meanwhile, the Future Stars series showcases future National, World and Olympic champions as they hone their skills against other racers their age from across the Lehigh Valley and the United States.  It’s a great night of racing.

Now… we can’t help but notice all the young families with little tykes hanging out at the track.  So obviously a lot of people already know who the quote at the top belongs to.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Life Without Lupus will be this Friday’s presenting sponsor of the Salamander Madison Cup.

Chris Paradysz, a member of the Life Without Lupus Foundation’s Board of Directors along with his 20-year-old daughter Allie will join us Friday to share Allie’s fight against Lupus.

Paradysz, rose awareness and funds for lupus through a record-breaking “Ride for a Life Without Lupus” bicycle ride in April 2009 at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. In just 22 hours, 26 minutes and 34 seconds, amateur cyclist Chris Paradysz bested the 24-hour track record held by Curt Bond, at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, going on to establish a new record of 416.09 miles (669.63 kilometers) biked in 24 hours. The previous record of 391.29 miles (629.72 kilometers) was set in 1980.

Paradysz undertook this daunting physical challenge to raise money for the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, one of the nation’s leading lupus organizations.

The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation is one of the nation’s leading lupus organizations. It provides patient services, education, public awareness, and funding for lupus research. Founded in 1970, the Foundation helps people with lupus and their families and friends to cope with the anxieties and confusion that accompany daily living with a complex and dangerous chronic illness. Sharing information and networking among patients and their families further helps dispel myths and provides daily support to those learning to live with lupus.

About Lupus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.), commonly called lupus, is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder and one of the nation’s least recognized major diseases. In lupus, the body’s immune system forms antibodies that can attack virtually any healthy organ or tissue, from the kidneys to the brain, heart, lungs, skin, joints and blood. Lupus is a leading cause of heart attack, kidney disease and stroke among young women. No major new treatments for lupus have been approved in more than 40 years.

Learn more at www.lifewithoutlupus.org.

Tonight’s World Series of Bicycling event at Valley Preferred Cycling Center had the best of both worlds: great professional racing and a look at cycling’s future. The jam-packed card featured both the Air Products Finals and the International Omnium Championships presented by Univest.

On the pro side, T-town fans witnessed some thrilling racing that culminated in a new Men’s Rider of the Year. New Zealand’s Aaron Gate wrapped up the Omnium win, and in so doing captured the prestigious Rider of the Year award.

Gate, in his second season at T-town, has lit up the velodrome this summer. He bookended his stay in the States by winning the Golden Wheel Race and tonight’s International Omnium Championships. In between, he was never far off the front wheel.

“This season couldn’t have been better,” said Gate. “I won the first one and I won the last one, so it’s been a great season for me. I’ve really enjoyed it. This place is awesome. I certainly hope I get to come back next year and wear the No. 1 jersey. I would hate to miss another season here. This is a great place to be in the summer.”

Gate heads to Belgium next week for some training. Then it’s on to France for a four-day tour with the New Zealand National Team, and then to Bordeaux for a three-week training camp. Gate has definitely endeared himself to T-town fans, so keep tabs on him at www.teamnzprocycling.com.

In women’s action, the Omnium was hotly contested between New Zealand’s Joanne Kiesanowski and Australia’s Laura McCaughey.

Both riders were quick to admit teamwork played a role in the outcome. McCaughey had a few friends in the field, by Kiesanowski had an entire country on her side. Team New Zealand pushed Kiesenowski to the front race after race.  While McCaughey was able to stage a challenge in the finale, Kiesanowski was able to hold on for a slight edge.

Kiesanowski is quick to credit her teammates for helping her win tonight’s Omnium.

“It was definitely an advantage to have some strong teammates with me, and we worked really well together,” said Kiesanowski. “It doesn’t matter which one of us wins, but I was the lucky one tonight. I was just trying to win every race, and whatever comes of that happens. I was always in the top three, so it helps to be consistent when you have four races.”

Air Products Finals: It was a memorable night for the 2010 graduates of the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program. The Air Products Finals have been a staple on the velodrome calendar for more than 30 years. The program, which was founded in 1977, is world-renowned for its success in developing cycling talent. Tonight featured the future stars of cycling, as well as older recreational riders who wanted to give sports stardom just one more chance.

Click here for a complete Photo Gallery from the Air Products Finals and International Omnium Championships presented by Univest.

The Air Products program is a great introduction to the skills and challenges of velodrome riding and racing, and the class culminates with a night of racing during the World Series of Bicycling. The Air Products card started off with a bang. The 3 Lap Scratch race in the Boys 9-10 category set the tone for an exciting night of racing.

Ethan Russell, who apparently learned a thing or two from his favorite pro Giddeon Massie, took an impressive flyer early in the race. It was no surprise to Russell that he would hang on for the win.

“I knew I could stay out there, but I was very tired at the end,” said Russell, who lists both cycling and baseball as his two favorite sports. “It was really cool to win because I was racing in front of my family and friends.”

On the women’s side, a familiar name won the 3 Lap Scratch race in the Adult Women category. Karen Skorochod made a bid for victory with one lap to go, and had just enough track to stave off an oncoming challenge for the win. In Skorochod’s case, Facebook is the new Disneyland.

“This is going right on Facebook,” quipped Skorochod. “Everybody has been so interested in this race, and making sure that I actually complete the race and don’t crash. And there were people at my church who were praying I don’t crash because they didn’t want any broken wrists for the organ on Sunday morning.”

In other Air Products action, Kyle Nock won the Boys 11-12 3 Lap Scratch, Allyson Wasielewski took the Girls 9-12 3 Lap Scratch, and Eric Willy won the Juniors 3 Lap Scratch. Meanwhile, Doug Johnston won the Men 19-39 5 Lap Scratch and Barry Navarre was victorious in the Men 40+ 5 Lap Scratch.

It was a wonderful night of racing, and the perfect showcase for the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program.

“We’ve been involved since the velodrome has been built,” said John Dodds, global marketing communications director of Air Products. “It’s wonderful to see the kids go through the programs, and we’re delighted to have employees involved with the program. The community is also involved. This program just makes great sense for us. We believe in community partnerships. We’re just delighted to have this partnership with Valley Preferred Cycling Center.”

In a way, the Air Products Finals may have come a week too early. At next week’s Salamander Madison Cup, Valley Preferred Cycling Center is inducting Dave Lettieri into its Hall of Fame. Lettieri is a graduate of the first Air Products program in 1977, and has the distinction of being the first graduate to make an Olympic team. Lettieri competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

“Lettieri is an absolute testament for what the Air Products program is about,” said Dodds. “We are very proud to have one of the graduates of the program to be inducted. It’s a fantastic achievement for him. And also, it’s a testament to our relationship with the velodrome. We believe in long-term relationships, and this is the first product of it.”

Next Event: The World Series of Bicycling returns to action next Friday, August 20, with the Salamander Madison Cup XXXIV. Gates open at 5:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in free, a trip to Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a great night out for the entire family. Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The International Omnium Championships are slated for Valley Preferred Cycling Center this Friday night for the second-to-last World Series of Bicycling event of the 2010 season. This world-class professional track cycling championship will feature top cyclists for the U.S. and abroad. The omnium event fills out a card that is anchored by the annual Air Products Finals, which touts the best of Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s long-running Air Products Developmental Cycling Program.

Air Products has been a loyal supporter of Valley Preferred Cycling Center since 1977, and the company’s impact on the venue has been a driving force in developing the future of cycling.

“The Air Products Finals has showcased more future stars of our sport than any other developmental cycling program in the world,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “It is truly a launching pad for some of America’s greatest cycling talent. This Friday night is a great opportunity for the Air Products community program graduates to showcase what they have learned all summer long in front of thousands of screaming fans.”

One of the perks of racing on a Friday night is the opportunity to get up close with the sport’s top cyclists. The International Omnium Championships presents a great way for the Air Products program graduates to see what their future may hold, as they continue to pursue cycling dreams of their own.

“The professonal cyclists have always been a great example for up-and-coming cyclists,” added Nothstein. “These pros will be burning up the track on Friday, racing shoulder to shoulder only inches apart. The omnium will feature races for all types of cyclists, including shorter sprint events as well as a 10 mile for the endurance racers. Once again the womens field will be hotly contested as Team New Zealand will be on hand to test the top Americans. This diversity of pro events is a great showcase for younger cyclists who are still trying to find their niche on the track.”

Event Details: Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Photo courtesy of UCI

 USA Cycling’s Sprint Program Director Jamie Staff was on hand in Montichiari, Italy, for the 2010 UCI Juniors Track World Championship. Here is his account of the men’s keirin competition, and how Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Penn.) took home the bronze medal.

Matthew came into the keirin with good motivation. He was disappointed with his sprinting, but knew he could do better in the keirin.

In the first round, Matthew took control of the race and got to the front with two laps to go, but was unable to defend the lead from a very quick German, Stefan Botticher, who was the quickest qualifier in the sprint event two days earlier. In the first round, the winner from each heat advances through to the semifinal, and so all the other competitors had to race the second-chance qualifier if they were going to progress. Matthew finished a clean second place and so had to ride the second-chance qualifier.

Matthew had a good chance to get an idea of his competition from the first round of racing, and took confidence from his first ride and how good he felt.

In the second-chance qualifier Matthew again took control of the race and showed that he was the one to beat. Matthew didn’t wait around to get caught up in any drama, but instead took the front and maintained his lead for a convincing win over the rest of the field.

In the semifinal, Matthew again looked confident and definitely made his presence known to the rest of the field. Obviously, the pace in this heat was quicker than the first rounds. But Matthew found himself fighting for position in the front of the race and came across the line in second place, showing that he was definitely someone to watch out for in the main event.

Remaining very composed, Matthew took strength from his previous heats and was ready for the final.

Matthew has gained lots of experience from racing the keirin in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, at the Friday night pro races, and this was definitely clear. He stood out among the rest of the field with a select few that obviously had some experience in this very tactical race. The keirin is not for the faint-hearted, and so an experienced rider is going to have the upper hand.

The Australians and German were looking good, and had shown their cards as being fast riders and the ones to beat. Matthew didn’t quite have the same top speed as some of the Europeans had, but he possesses great speed endurance which meant he wasn’t going to fade in the closing stages of the race.

In the final, Matthew couldn’t find a place in the front of the line of riders like he had done in the earlier rounds, but kept trying to make a hole to slide into. He was somewhat exposed as the derny built up speed and got ready to pull off, but again found himself fighting for one of the front spots.

The track in Montichiari has very big, round turns with shorter straights than most tracks, which means that it is harder to make up ground in the straights. A rider is forced to make any moves early in the turns so that they enter the straights with more speed than their competitors.

The men’s keirin final started to pan out with the best riders in the front of the field. Matthew was right up there in front among the action-filled last half of a lap only to find himself shooting out of turn four in third position with clean air between himself and the remainder of the field.

It was a brilliant outcome for a hard day’s work, and something he’ll remember for a long time. Matthew is only in his first year as a junior and so will come away with huge confidence about his ability as one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.

Full results from the UCI Juniors Track World Championships

Photo courtesy of the UCI

The band Shake, Rattle & Soul will help kick off this week’s Super Tuesday card.  The band will be performing in the plaza from 6:00-7:00, so come on out early and enjoy the music and great food from the all-organic Breakaway Cafe.  Then, stay for another great night of racing.  We’re pretty confident you’ll enjoy Tuesday evenings in T-town.  We’ve got the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series set to go off at 7:30 p.m.  Our Pro-Am Series features Category 1-3 riders — some of the best up-and-coming racers in cycling — as they match their skills against many of our Friday night pros.  Meanwhile, the Future Stars series showcases future National, World and Olympic champions as they hone their skills against other racers their age from across the Lehigh Valley and the United States.  It’s a great night of racing.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Air Products and Chemicals finally returned to the top of the podium at the Rodale Corporate Challenge presented by United Healthcare at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Tonight’s win marked the first time an Air Products team won the event since 2004. It’s been a long wait, considering Air Products rattled off a string of four straight victories from 2001-2004 in T-town’s Corporate Challenge event.

“It’s really good to come back and win it, because we won a lot of Corporate Challenges in the early years,” said Air Products employee Rick Beuttel, who anchored the winning “A” team. “Then over the past couple of years with ringers, celebrity riders and what not, it made it more challenging. Now that we’re cutting it back to the true essence of the Corporate Challenge it feels good to be back on top.”

The Air Products team definitely had to work for this victory. Their opponent from Valley Preferred was also making an impressive bid for the win. Beuttel, who has competed in several Corporate Challenge events, ended up in a close dual with Valley Preferred “A” anchor Randy Smargiassi for the win. It’s always exciting when the Italian Pursuit race format comes down to the final two riders, but Beuttel knows exactly where credit is due.

“It’s a great win, but this was a total team effort; nobody did this individually,” added Beuttel. “As a team we gelled and came together, and that’s what really mattesrs. We’re so excited to win this. It’s going to be pretty pumped in the office on Monday.”

This year was the 11th season Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosted a Corporate Challenge event, and with each passing year the competition has gotten bigger. It’s a unique event that puts the thrill of velodrome racing into the corporate world. And the opportunity to see colleagues, friends and family race has made the event a hot ticket.

“It’s pure excitement,” said Joe Candio of Valley Preferred. “Everybody has been so excited to come out and see their colleagues race. Friends and family are excited to come to the event. And for our team, the intensity level has been up there. We’re excited about it. We’re having fun, but at the same time everybody wants to get out there and win and ride their best and do what they can for their best. That’s the goal of this whole event, really to come together as a team and as a company.”

The Corporate Challenge has achieved such success that it’s no longer confined to Lehigh Valley companies. Making a 70-mile trip for the second year in a row is Philadelphia-based Lannett Company, Inc. According to Lannett’s Greg Liscio, the drive “is part of the ordeal we go through to get here, but people are willing to make it.” Liscio, a cycling enthusiast, is the one who rounded up his colleagues for the event.

“We like the challenge of racing, and this really is a fabulous facility,” said Liscio. “The people from Lannett have enjoyed themselves now two years, so we have no trouble getting people enthused about this and actually driving up here to practice. I think the whole Corporate Challenge, and the ambiance here, is great. There’s so much enthusiasm among the teams.”

Rounding out the top five in this year’s Rodale Corporate Challenge presented by United Healthcare were Bicycling magazine for 3rd place, the VSAS “A” team placed 4th and Air Products’ “B” team finished 5th.

In the individual scratch races, Red Robin’s Nina Santiago won the women’s 3 Lap Scratch, while Valley Preferred’s Wayne Dubov took the men’s 5 Lapper.

Polish Victory Lap: T-town fans said farewell to one of their favorites tonight. Poland’s Kamil Kuczynski wrapped up his last night at Valley Preferred Cycling Center this summer in grand fashion, winning the Keirin Revenge. Going out with a win caps another great summer in the U.S. for Kuczynski.

“This win was something special for me,” said Kuczynski after the Keirin Revenge final. “I’ve been here four weeks, and this summer has been very good for me. I was expecting good things, and I’m very happy. The guys were very strong today. I’m just very happy that I won tonight.”

From here Kuczysnki sets his sight on the Polish Nationals, which are slated for September, then the European Track Cycling Championships. In the meantime, Kuczynski looks forward to getting some training in with his national team.

Racing Round-up: Valley Preferred Cycling Center capped the night with two record attempts. In the pro men’s 1 Mile, Kiwi Shane Archbald scored the win, but came up short of the record. His time of 1:41.30 was just shy of American Jame Carney’s time of 1:40.80. In the pro women’s 5 Mile attempt, New Zealand’s Joanne Kiesenowski took a flyer on the field, but couldn’t maintain a record-setting pace all by herself. At the end, American Lucy Tyler’s 10:36.14 stood.

In other racing, Aussie Laura McCaughey scored the win in the women’s 6 Km Points Race, and Kiesenowski won the 2K Scratch. Kiwi Shem Rodger took the men’s Super Sprint Elimination, while fellow Kiwi Aaron Gate won the 15 Lap Scratch Race.

Next Event: The World Series of Bicycling returns to action next Friday, August 20, with the Air Products Finals. Gates open at 5:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in free, a trip to Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a great night out for the entire family. Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

It’s Race Day! We’re already have some news on the day. This just in: The pros are hoping to take things to a new level … literally. The pro men’s 5-mile and 1-mile races will be record attempts. This is your chance to watch history be made in T-town. It’s a rare opportunity that the field of riders push to set a record-setting pace throughout the race. While every rider likes to simply win, tonight a victory may fall short of the mark.

The record attempt is icing on the cake. T-town has already been buzzing all week in anticipation for tonight’s Rodale Corporate Challenge, presented by United Healthcare. You don’t want to miss out.

Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The pros get some company (no pun intended) on Friday night, when Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts the 11th Annual Rodale Corporate Challenge during the World Series of Bicycling. The Corporate Challenge pits corporate teams together in a round-robin elimination throughout the evening as teams compete in the Italian Pursuit (see explanation below). It’s a great night of racing as corporate Lehigh Valley gets up close and personal with the international pros in T-town. Some insist it’s “as easy as riding a bike,” but racing under the lights in front of thousands of fans is definitely an exciting task for Corporate Challenge competitors.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be able to give our sponsors and other area corporations the chance to race on our historic venue,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “For these companies to be part of a professional World Series of Bicycling event is a unique experience we hope they cherish. We’re excited about this year’s event. There are a lot of good teams. We’re going to see who has the bragging rights for the next year.”

Red Robin is the defending champion of the event, and the company hopes to bring its “A” game to the track on Friday night. However, in recent years, defending a title has proven difficult. There has been four different winners over the last five years, with Bicycling magazine – go figure – winning twice (2006, 2008). A look back to 2001-2004 shows Air Products and Chemicals taking the event four straight years after Rodale won the inaugural event in 2000.

The continued growth of the Rodale Corporate Challenge event is a terrific testament to Valley Preferred Cycling Center and its corporate support. The 2010 World Series of Bicycling schedule already touts two long-running cycling events – the 34th Annual Madison Cup and Keirin Cup XXV. The madison and keirin are popular events for cycling enthusiasts. That a recreational event like the Corporate Challenge boasts over a decade of success is proof the cycling is a great sport for all walks of life.

“Not only is it great that Corporate Challenge has lasted this long, it’s gotten better over the years,” said Nothstein. “As a fan, I’ve watched a lot of these races. As an athlete, I raced in a lot of these races. And now I’m promoting the events. One thing I have noticed is that the events are getting stronger every year through participation numbers and crowds. It might be in its 11th year, but I think Corporate Challenge is still in its infancy compared to some of the other races we have here. I look forward to 11 more years of Corporate Challenge.”

One thing that makes Corporate Challenge a great event is the opportunity to compete in front of their co-workers, not to mention the other 2,000-plus fans at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The other thing that makes it special is the process. A five-week practice period gets these novice riders up to speed, with special instruction on riding a track bike with no brakes on a banked track. Perhaps the best part of the process lies in the team-building opportunity.

“There is quite a bit of team-building because the Italian Pursuit is run from the slowest team member to the fastest team member,” said Ben Miller, director of cycling operations at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “At the start of the first practice, no team member wants to be slowest rider, and there are a few that think they’re the fastest. The team-building comes from riders being honest with themselves and how they can contribute best to the team. Someone might think they should be the anchor of the team, in other words the last rider, but in reality they might need to move up a spot or two in the line. If a team wants to win Corporate Challenge, each team member has to first accept the best role they can play for the team.”

This year’s corporate participants include Valley Preferred, Air Products and Chemicals, Rodale, Bicycling magazine, Red Robin, VSAS, Lanett, Infinera, Thermo-Fisher Scientific and Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center has put the race back in the hands of the corporate team members. In years past, the event has featured one celebrity pro rider on each team. In 2010, it’s all up to the corporate team members to bring home the win.

Italian Pursuit Format: The Italian Pursuit format features two teams lined up on opposite sides of the velodrome and they “pursue” each other for six laps. The lead rider of each team drops off after each lap, leaving only the final, or anchor rider for each team, to finish the race against the clock. The Corporate Challenge is a playoff-type event that culminates with the top two teams going head-to-head for bragging rights. Each six-person team includes at least two women and up to four men.

Event Details: Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with a live band in the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Fourteen junior athletes are representing the United States at the 2010 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Montichiari, Italy from August 11^th until August 15^th 2010.

The Italian track which opened in 2009 will give our prospective U.S. stars their first chance to test themselves against the world’s top junior riders. With only two returning World Junior Champions, the door is open for new names to be crowned World Champion and the U.S. team will be competing with one aspiration, to win medals.

The velodrome of Montichiari was inaugurated on May 23rd, 2009 and is Italy’s only covered track cycling facility. The track is 250 meters long, seven meters wide and the banks are angled at 45 degrees. The track is made from Siberian pine. The facility can seat 1,300 spectators. Total project costs were approximately 15 million EUR.

Included in the talented young group is Perkasie native Matthew Baranowski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) who is the only male rider to meet automatic time standards. Baranowski will contest the scratch race, sprint, team sprint and keirin events.

Each of the track riders competing at the UCI Junior Track World Championships earned automatic nomination to the U.S. squad as national champions.

Best of luck to all U.S. juniors!

Men Track
Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) scratch race, sprint, team sprint, keirin
Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) team pursuit, kilometer time trial
Robin Carpenter (Philadelphia, Pa.) team pursuit
Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) individual pursuit
Wesley Kline (Emmaus, Pa.) team pursuit
Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club) Madison, team sprint
Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa.) individual pursuit, team pursuit, scratch race
Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing) Madison, kilometer time trial, team sprint, omnium
John Tomlinson (Chicago, Ill./XXX Racing) points race

Women Track
Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) points race, omnium
Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC) 500-meter time trial, sprint
Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) sprint, team sprint, keirin
Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.) sprint, team sprint, keirin, 500-meter time trial
Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) individual pursuit, scratch race

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, August 11

500m Time Trials (W)

Individual Pursuit (M)

Points race 20k (W)

Scratch 10k (M)

Team Sprint (M)

Thursday, August 12

Individual Pursuit (W)

Team Sprint (W)

Team Pursuit (M)

Friday, August 13

Team Pursuit (W)

Points race 25k (M)

Sprint (M)

Saturday August 14

Scratch 7.5k (W)

Keirin (M)

Sprint (W)

Omnium (M)

Sunday, August 15

Kilometre Time Trial (M)

Madison 30k (M)

Omnium (W)

Keirin (W)

“You know what really gives you satisfaction? … Super Tuesdays with Valley Preferred Cycling Center.” 

Okay, so that’s not exactly what Morrie told Mitch, but we’re pretty confident you’ll enjoy Tuesday evenings in T-town.  We’ve got the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series set to go off at 7:30 p.m.  Our Pro-Am Series features Category 1-3 riders — some of the best up-and-coming racers in cycling — as they match their skills against many of our Friday night pros.  Meanwhile, the Future Stars series showcases future National, World and Olympic champions as they hone their skills against other racers their age from across the Lehigh Valley and the United States.  It’s a great night of racing. 

So what did Morrie tell Mitch? “Offering others what you have to give.”

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Another USA Cycling national championship was awarded tonight at Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pa. T-town favorites Andy Lakatosh and Giddeon Massie teamed up to win the Tandem Track Sprint golds and the coveted Stars-and-Stripes jerseys.

The win was refreshing for the Lakatosh, who has been contending in sprint competition all season at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

“Tandem is one of my favorites,” said Lakatosh. “Riding with my training partner, Giddeon, makes this a special win. It was just awesome. It’s a unique event that only happens once a year. It’s great to have it in T-town.”

Massie added a lot of buzz to the storyline when he entered a 2K Scratch Race just before the tandem final was slated to be run. The gallery could only wonder if he’d have something left in the tank for the final.

“We’re here to race, and tandem isn’t the only race,” said Massie, when asked about his decision to ride the scratch race. “I knew that the training is there to back me up. I have plenty of confidence in Andy and in myself. I’m happy to come out here and win it in front of the hometown crowd.”

Kurt Begemann and Jeffrey Palter won silver, while Andy Kuklis and Ray Ignosh took bronze. Nik Reinert and Jamie Alvord placed fourth, and Lanell Rockmore and Jame Carney came home fifth.

The USA Cycling Tandem Track Sprint National Championships is the second nationals event Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosted this season. The venue also hosted the Juniors Track Nationals event last month.

Tandemonium! The encore event, and one of the most-exciting races at T-town each year, was Tandemonium!, presented by Dan’s Camera City. This 12-lap scratch race pitting all the tandems on the track is definitely to sight to see. It’s often simply regarded as “twice the speed, twice the power, twice the action and twice the thrill.”

It probably comes as no surprise that the new national champions – Lakatosh and Massie – won this one too. However, they didn’t walk away with it. In fact, late into the race, an unlikely duo took a flyer on the field and appeared headed for victory.

The tandem of Nik Reinert and Jamie Alvord had the fans on the edge of their seat, as they built a sizable gap on their competition. In the end, their impressive bid for the win would fall just short to the hard-charging field led by the tandem of Lakatosh and Massie.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center Executive Director Marty Nothstein had previously stated that Tandemonium! “gets the crowd to give more ‘ooohs’ and ‘awwws’ than probably any other event of the year.” This season was no different. A field full of tandems and a close battle to the finish raised the decibel level to a season-high tonight.

Racing Round-up: In addition to tandem action, T-town fans were treated to many other exciting events on the card. Poland’s Kamil Kuczynski pulled out a thrilling win in the 5 Mile Final. Kiwi Sam Webster impressed all by grabbing first wheel early in a 2K Scratch Race and holding on for the win. Emmaus’ Kimberly Geist continued her winning form in taking 5K Points Race and the 10-lap Tempo Points Race. Meanwhile, San Diego’s Iggy Silva won the men’s 25-lap Points Race, while New Zealand’s Gemma Dudley took the women’s Super Sprint Elimination and Teleford’s Dana Feiss won the 2K Scratch Race.

Community Round-up: Valley Preferred Cycling Center continued its efforts to engage the community with unique event-night opportunities. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania were set up in the plaza to attract new girls to their organization. For them, partnering with Valley Preferred Cycling Center was a good fit.

“We want to show that we have a presence in the area,” said Debbie Lillegard, a service unit manager with Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennyslvania. “There are so many people moving into the Lehigh Valley. Valley Preferred Cycling Center gives us a great opportunity to get in front a huge crowd of people. It helps that this is a family-friendly event. We obviously want to reach families that have young children. Our goal is to do more events that cater to families, and this is a great place to start.”

Dan’s Camera City made good use of its night of racing by tieing it to a fast action photography workshop. Amateur photographers were taught the basics of how to capture fast action photos in the classroom at Dan’s Camera City and then got a hands-on shoot tonight at the velodrome. Meanwhile, popular bicycle collector Bob Swaim made a return visit to T-town, after his first stop earlier this season was a well-received. His vast collection of unique bicycles and engaging stories were a hit with fans of all ages.

Next Event:  The World Series of Bicycling returns to action next Friday, August 13, with the Rodale Corporate Challenge. Gates open at 5:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in free, a trip to Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a great night out for the entire family. Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Valley Preferred Cycling Center will host the 2010 USA Cycling Tandem Track Sprint National Championships this Friday night during the World Series of Bicycling. Tandem competition is an exciting niche in the sport of velodrome racing, and has long been a fan-favorite at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The national championships give T-town fans a chance to see the best of the best, and the duo that outraces them all for those coveted Stars-and-Stripes championship jerseys.

“It’s a great honor to host this event,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “USA Cycling gave us this event because they know we’re going to put on a great event with thousands of people cheering these guys on. Plus, we’ll fill the field with high-quality tandem teams that take track sprinting and tandem cycling very seriously. This is also a great venue for the event. The track’s bigger dimensions allows the riders to use their horsepower.”

This is the second USA Cycling national championships event that Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts this season. Last month, the venue hosted the USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships.

Tandemonium! While the national championships will be exciting enough, the event’s encore is what really energizes the T-town crowd. Tandemonium!, presented by Dan’s Camera City, is an intense scratch race that pits several tandems in an all-out dash for the win. The U.S. teams will cap their night by facing a field of international pros in what will unarguably be the best tandem race of the year.

“The amount of talent we have lined up for the tandem is pretty incredible,” noted Nothstein. “The same guys that are going fast on individual bikes are pairing up to go fast on tandem bikes. Seeing all the tandem bikes on the track at one time and the guys duking it out in a scratch race is definitely a great race to watch. It’s twice the speed, twice the power, twice the action and twice the thrill. It’s the one that gets the crowd to give more ‘ooohs’ and ‘awwws’ than probably any other event of the year.”

The fans aren’t the only ones that get stoked for Tandemonium! The cyclists look forward to this event as well. It’s a team sport, and picking that winning teammate is as strategic as the actual on-track competition. It’s not uncommon for some riders to set their tandem plans well in advance, and for others to search for the right fit up until the week of the event.

“I know guys who have talked about this event all year long, and I know teams that were placed together this week,” added Nothstein. “It takes a good team. It’s not an event that is won on one strong guy. It takes two guys that think as one person and pedal as one machine. When you find the right combination you usually have guys that are quick and agile and really fast on the big bikes. It’s hard to do; it’s like driving an 18-wheeler out there. The guys who are good at it are specialists, and we have a few specialists ready to roll on Friday night.”

In Focus: Dan’s Camera City, a long-time sponsor of Valley Preferred Cycling Center, is the presenting sponsor of this Friday’s event. Dan’s Camera City makes good use of its night of racing with a unique fast action photography workshop. Amateur photographers are taught the basics of how to capture the fast action photos in the classroom at Dan’s Camera City and then get a hands-on shoot at Valley Preferred Cycling Center this Friday.

The Bike Guy: Popular bicycle collector Bob Swaim returns to Valley Preferred Cycling Center this Friday night. Swaim’s appearance earlier this season was well-received. His vast collection of unique bicycles and engaging stories were a hit with fans of all ages.

“With my collection of bicycles, I can talk about health, history, engineering, the environment, diversity and team-building,” Swaim said during his first appearance. “I often ask kids, ‘Who was the first president to ride a bicycle?’ The bicycle wasn’t invented until about 1860, so George Washington isn’t the right answer. In fact, there is no right answer, but it gets the kids thinking. And when it comes to engineering and diversity, kids can really think outside the box and be creative. Then I always end with a lesson in volunteering. I hope the kids get involved in volunteering.”

Event Details: Racing starts at 7:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family. Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand. Gates open at 5:30, with live music from the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

We’re past the halfway point of the 2010 World Series of Bicycling season.  There has been a battle shaping up on the men’s side and women’s side for the honor of Rider of the Year.  With just four races to go, Valley Preferred Cycling Center is enjoying the closest competition its had in recent years.  Last year’s winners – Shane Archbald and Laura McCaughey – are definitely contenders this year.  However, as of right now, it’s still anybody’s title. 

On the men’s side, it’s New Zealand versus the U.S., with two Kiwis at the top of the standings.  On the women’s side, Australian McCaughey will have to work for another Rider of the Year title, with three American riders chomping at her heels.

It might be anybody’s race, but let’s take a moment make a pick.

The season wraps up August 27. That’s a great night to stop by T-town for Salamander Madison Cup action and to see if you made the right pick.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Italy’s Roberto Chiappa showed his winning form tonight at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, claiming the title of Fastest Man on Wheels. Chiappa, who is no stranger to the top of the podium in T-town, needed every bit of the sprint final to narrowly defeat Roy Van den Berg of the Netherlands to cap off an exciting night of sprint racing that was presented by Michelob Ultra.

“It was absolutely a great race, and a fitting finish for the title,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “Chiappa definitely shows that he still has the good form that he had during the previous years in T-town. He is a great champion, but my hat also goes off to Roy Van den Berg.”

While Chiappa took home the trophy, it was Van den Berg that provided the most excitement on the night. In the first heat, he snuck by American Andy Lakatosh to advance. It was arguably one of the closest finishes ever in the World Series of Bicycling. For the Lakatosh camp, their unrest was eventually settled after the television replay showed the Dutch rider by a hair. Van den Berg then needed the very last meter to seal a win versus American David Espinoza for the chance to face Chiappa in the final.

That semifinal race closed what was shaping up to be a storybook night for Espinoza, who got the night’s racing action started with a bang. Espinoza, an up-and-coming sprinter, wow’ed the crowd with an upset of the No. 1 seed Sam Webster of New Zealand in the opening heat race. After his loss to Van den Berg, Espinoza beat Kiwi Eddie Dawkins, who some considered the favorite to win it all, to take third place.

“It was great to see an American do that,” added Nothstein. “Espinoza has been impressing me a lot lately with his deceiving speed. So, for me it wasn’t much of a surprise. I’m just thrilled that Espinoza did so well. It was a good placing for an American to take third.”

On the women’s side, the Netherlands’ Willy Kanis won the title of Fastest Woman on Wheels after beating fellow Dutch rider Yvonne Hijgenaar in the final. It was Kanis’ second straight feature win in T-town. She also won last week’s Keirin Cup XXV event.

Racing Round-up: The Pro Men’s Omnium was all New Zealand, as Kiwis Shane Archbald, Aaron Gate and Shem Rodger took the top three spots. They each had one win in the three races that awarded points for the omnium. Australia’s Laura McCaughey took the Pro Women’s Omnium by a narrow margin over U.S. rider Theresa Cliff-Ryan.

Summer Home: One of the pleasant surprises of the season has been the continued improvement of the New Zealand team. A Kiwi has taken the featured prize at three events so far this season, with Chad Adair winning the U.S. 10 Mile Championships, Gate picking up the win in The Golden Wheel Race, and Eddie Dawkins winning last week’s Keirin Cup XXV.

Dawkins, who was ousted in tonight’s semi-final after a closely-contested battle with Chiappa, is particularly excited about the direction of the New Zealand sprint program.

“Two years ago, it was just me, and last year, it was me and Simon (Van Velthooven),” explained Dawkins. “Simon is in Japan at the moment. Now this year, our Federation has put a little bit of money behind us, and we’ve made full use of that money and now there’s five of us competing for 3 spots in the Olympics.”

Dawkins credits Valley Preferred Cycling Center with helping push the needle on his program’s success. This time of year in New Zealand is not the optimal training and racing weather, so several Kiwis spend these summer months in T-town.

“It’s definitely an influence on our program being able to come over here to T-town,” added Dawkins. “T-town offers us a place to race like no other place in the world this time of year. I come here and it’s always harder than it was the year before. The crowd is cheering you on all the time. It’s motivating and a great place to ride and train for the summer.”

Zumba Fitness: Valley Preferred Cycling Center has made a great effort to bring other organizations in the Lehigh Valley area to showcase in T-town. This week, Zumba Fitness instructors Naomi Betancourt and Nancy Otero brought a group out to entertain the crowd on the homestretch before the event.

“The world should be dancing,” said Betancourt. “You don’t need Prozac. You don’t need weight loss systems. Zumba is great. It’s exercise in disguise; endorphins, burning calories, stamina, and cardio. It gives you a looseness. And, it’s absolutely a great workout for cyclists.”

Next Event: The World Series of Bicycling returns next Friday night with the popular Tandemonium! event and USA Cycling National Tandem Championship. Gates open at 5:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in free, a trip to Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a great night out for the entire family. Racing starts at 7:30.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts the much-anticipated Michelob Ultra Fastest Man on Wheels this Friday night as the featured event on the World Series of Bicycling card.  The competition in T-town has been building all summer, and this is a great mid-season event to settle some scores.  So, just who is the Fastest Man on Wheels?  If you ask any of our sprinters, he’ll quickly tell you he is.  However, that’s just talk.  We’re putting these riders in the saddle and on the track.

In addition to Fastest Man on Wheels, Valley Preferred Cycling Center begs the question, “Who is the Fastest Woman on Wheels?”  Some of the world’s top female sprinters are gearing up to lay claim to that title on Friday night.

“It’s going to be an exciting event.,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center.  “We have so many incredibly talented cyclists in T-town this summer.  This Friday is a great opportunity to showcase the strongest and fastest cyclists, the heavyweights so to speak, going head-to-head in the sprint competition.  It’s really the only sprint-focused event of the year, so it’s a great night to come out to Valley Preferred Cycling Center.”

Poll Position: Here are a list of contenders for the Michelob Ultra Fastest Man on Wheels and Fastest Woman on Wheels titles.  We’d like our fans’ help in setting the early favorites.  Pick who you think will be Fastest Man on Wheels and Fastest Woman on Wheels:

The Long Road: This Friday’s event will also feature some of the best cyclists in the medium- and long-distance disciplines.  A variety of scratch races will favor the likes of T-town regular Jame Carney, who returns to Valley Preferred Cycling Center after a few weeks racing in the Northwest, and local favorite Shane Kline of Bally.  San Diego’s Iggy Silva, who rides for the Trek-LIVESTRONG team, will also contend, as will New Tripoli’s Jackie Simes, who recently returned from racing in Italy.

American Pride: Carney, Kline, Silva and Simes, along with Andy Lakatosh in the sprint event, lead U.S. riders hoping to put a dent in the foreign dominance at Valley Preferred Cycling Center this season.  They join Americans Colleen Hayduck, Shelbe Eck and Colleen Gulick, who are gunning to represent the U.S. as winner of the Fastest Woman on Wheels title.

Hot Pursuit: Valley Preferred Cycling Center has a long tradition of attracting the top international cyclists to T-town.  This season, the New Zealand women’s Team Pursuit squad is at the velodrome to race and train in the picturesque western Lehigh Valley.  The squad is a former World Champion and current World Record holder.  Their presence in T-town this summer is further proof that this area is a hotbed for cyclists.

Beer Special:  Michelob Ultra, title sponsor of the Fastest Man on Wheels event, is providing some savings to T-town fans this Friday night. Michelob Ultra will be sold on special for $1.00 off.

The partnership with Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a good fit for Michelob Ultra, which has been a strong supporter of the sport of cycling since 2004. As part of its Race to the Ultra series, the brand sponsors more than 40 major running and cycling events annually across the United States. Last fall, Michelob Ultra entered into a three-year deal with Lance Armstrong for the seven-time Tour de France winner to become the brand’s new spokesperson and ambassador. The relationship with Armstrong has positioned cycling as a significant theme in Michelob Ultra’s television, print and outdoor advertising, as well as in digital marketing programs, product packaging and point-of-sale placement.

You Pick ‘Em: The You Pick ‘Em Contest will return this Friday at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.  The contest was popular during last Friday night’s Keirin Cup XXV.  This week, we’re putting fans to task to predict the winners of the Fastest Man on Wheels and Fastest Woman on Wheels.   Fans that correctly predict will be entered into a drawing to win a free hat, free t-shirt and 4 free premium tickets to a future event. 

As Keirin Cup XXV proved, it is not easy to pick.  Only 3% of respondents correctly predicted the winners - Eddie Dawkins and Willy Kanis.  So take a look at the polls above and devise a scouting report of your own if you wish.  You Pick ‘Em entry forms will be available at the gate on Friday night.

Fastest Man on Wheels Details: Racing starts at 7:30.  With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in FREE, this event will be a fun night out for the entire family.  Fans can also take advantage of great all-organic food at the Breakaway Café concession stand.  Gates open at 5:30, with a live band from the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix. 

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Super Tuesday at Valley Preferred Cycling Center rolls off tonight at 7:30.  The weekly 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series always put on a great show for the fans.  This mid-week event is a great opportunity to mix-and-mingle with the cycling community and get a closer look at the cyclists.  No doubt the pros will be out in full force tonight for a tune up to this Friday’s Michelob Ultra Fastest Man on Wheels event.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

New Zealand finally did it! Eddie Dawkins became the first Kiwi to put his name on Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s prestigious Keirin Cup tonight. Dawkins won the race in exciting fashion, too. After Canadian Joseph Veloce pulled the train behind the Keirin pacer for three laps, Dawkins put the hammer down and cut through the pack to take control of the final sprint. He was challenged by American Giddeon Massie, who nearly nipped him at the line. The Meade Orthopedics Keirin Cup XXV, presented by Coordinated Health, will go down as one of the closest Keirin Cup races in Valley Preferred Cycling Center history.

Dawkins takes pride is scoring one for his own country, and insists velodrome fans haven’t heard the last of New Zealand.

“I definitely will not be the last New Zealander to win the Keirin Cup,” said Dawkins. “New Zealand is developing such big talent, and has a lot of depth to their program. We were a small fish in a big pond when comes to sprinting. But now we’re right up there competing with the big boys. It’s just amazing to win this race.”

On the women’s side, Dutch rider Willy Kanis continued making new fans during her first season in T-town. Kanis held off countrymate Yvonne Hijgenaar and 2008 winner Monique Sullivan of Canada to claim a spot on the Keirin Cup.

“It’s really cool, because it’s a big race here,” said Kanis. “We don’t have any racing right now in Holland. The racing is great here. I’m enjoying it.”

Special Guest: If winning wasn’t enough for Dawkins and Kanis, they were presented as 2010 Keirin Cup winners by a very special guest of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Katsushi Kodera, the European representative of the Japan Keirin Association, was in T-town to greet our winners.

This year’s event is special for Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The 25th anniversary of the Keirin Cup is a big accomplishment. The Keirin Cup continues to be one of the longest-running and most-prestigious Keirin events in cycling. Having a guest like Kodera, and international winners like Dawkins and Kanis, is a great testament to the Keirin Cup and Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

You Pick ‘Em: It was perhaps fitting that Kodera was on hand for the event. The Keirin race was born in Japan in 1948, and ever since then it has been a highly-wagered event among Japanese fans. In Japan, it’s legal to bet on bicycle racing; things aren’t quite the same in the U.S. So Valley Preferred Cycling Center put an American spin on the Japanese tradition

Valley Preferred Cycling Center introduced a You Pick ‘Em Contest for fans, and dangled free velodrome goodies to anyone that could correctly predict the winners – men’s and women’s – of the Keirin Cup. Valley Preferred Cycling Center executive director Marty Nothstein, a seven-time Keirin Cup winner during his racing days, even gave an assist to the fans by posting his odds for both the men’s and women’s races.

The goal of the You Pick ‘Em Contest was to get fans involved in the event. Prior to the event, fans were in the plaza pondering their picks. In the infield, pro cyclists were at odds – no pun intended – over who the favorites should be. The Keirin Cup is already one of the most-anticipated events on the World Series of Bicycling calendar. The You Pick ‘Em Contest just took things to a higher level.

“It’s important to get fans involved in every night of racing,” said American pro Andy Lakatosh. “The more the fans get to know and interact and cheer us both on and off the track, the better I think it is for everybody. I think it’s also a great way to get people involved and to know more about the international riders; that’s a really unique showcase at T-town. One of the best things about track cycling over some other sports, even professional road cycling, is our fans can actually down into the infield and meet us after racing. You can’t go talk to Lance [Armstrong] after the Tour de France; he’s on the bus and he’s gone.”

This issue definitely isn’t lost on Lakatosh, who credits the velodrome community and fans’ access to the riders with the launch of his racing career.

“That’s one of the best things about T-town,” added Lakatosh, a Lehigh Valley native. “How often do you get to go down and not only get an autograph but have a conversation with a pro cyclist and see the equipment and ask questions. That’s what really drew me into the sport, getting to talk to Marty Nothstein and be around Marty when I was 12 to 13 years old. That little spark lit a big fire which led me to get to the point where I am now. I think getting fans involved is huge.”

Racing Round-up: While the Keirin events were the highlight of the night, there was plenty of other exciting racing under the lights. On the men’s side, Kiwi Shane Archbald took the Miss-and-Out, then teamed with American Shane Kline to win a 50-lap Madison. U.S. rider Bobby Lea claimed Scratch Race, which locked up a close Omnium win over Archbald. In women’s competition, Emmaus rider Kimberly Geist won the Super Sprint Elimination and the 3k Tempo Points Race. The Bear Creek Future Stars got some action as well, with Calan Farley winning the Keirin and Zach Prebosnyak taking the 3-lap Handicap race.

Drumroll, Please: Valley Preferred Cycling Center strives to involve the Lehigh Valley community in its World Series of Bicycling pro racing program. The Lehigh Valley Youth Drumline delighted the crowd with a performance during an intermission.

The non-profit community youth organization provides a first-year marching experience for youth in the Lehigh Valley.

“We call it a positive risk-taking experience,” said Tim Gallagher, director of Lehigh Valley Youth Drumline. “We encourage kids to try something new. There’s no requirements. There are no fees. There are no pre-requisites as far as being able to play. We teach them everything they need to know from the beginning all the way through. Our hope is that after a few years with our group, these kids go on to their local high school and become a model student and play in their marching bands, and enrich the high school marching band programs.”

Roller Derby: The ladies from the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls took a few laps during the night to introduce the T-town crowd to the increasingly-popular sport of Roller Derby. For a group that’s looking to gain more traction in the Lehigh Valley, a visit to Valley Preferred Cycling Center was a good fit.

“It’s great because we’re trying to establish ourselves as an aggressive women’s sport in the Lehigh Valley,” said Rollergirl Tanara Govern. “Coming together with the Cycling Center is going to pretty much help put us on the map as far as sports in the Lehigh Valley.”

The Rollergirls, which are currently 4-1 on the season, got a lot of attention from the nicknames on their jerseys. For example, Govern’s derby name is Helen DaRink. There are also names like Spawn Jovi and Greta Gridiron. It’s all in fun, though. Govern is quick to point out, “We’re a PG-13 venue. It’s definitely family friendly.”

Next Event: The World Series of Bicycling returns to action next Friday, July 30, with the Fastest Man on Wheels event. Gates open at 5:30. With tickets starting at just $5.00 and kids 12 and under getting in free, a trip to Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a great night out for the entire family. Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The Meade Orthopedics Keirin Cup XXV, presented by Coordinated Health, is slated for tonight at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.  We put a poll to our fans, and the pre-race favorite is local rider Andy Lakatosh.  Come on out tonight to see if he can pull it off.  Click here to see who he’s up against.  We’ve got odds on all the contenders in the men’s and women’s Keirin Cup. 

Gates open at 5:30 to the sound of musical artist Troy Dean.  Enjoy the music, grab an all-organic dinner and browse the plaza.  Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

UPDATE: THE ODDS ARE NOW POSTED.

Can Poland’s Kamil Kuczynski defend his Keirin Cup title on Friday night?  Will Italy’s Roberto Chiappa make a grand return to Valley Preferred Cycling Center and write his name on the Cup? 

Is this the year Eddie Dawkins or Sam Webster becomes the first Kiwi to win the Keirin Cup?  Or will Andy Lakatosh or Yondi Schmidt grab a spot in the history books?

There’s already been plenty of buzz in T-town about who will win this Friday night.  Valley Preferred Cycling Center executive director Marty Nothstein chimes in on the subject.  

There are six riders he’s keeping an eye on.   But you tell us… who do you pick to win this year’s Keirin Cup:

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts one of its most celebrated events this Friday, as the Meade Orthopaedics Keirin Cup XXV, presented by Coordinated Health, rolls into its 25th year. The Keirin Cup is one of the longest-running cycling events in the sport. This highly-tactical five-lap shootout begins with riders vying for precious track position and builds to an all-out sprint to the finish.

The Keirin Cup has always played a vital role in helping Valley Preferred Cycling Center attract strong contingents of international riders. This year’s field is full of talent from beyond our borders. Several national teams, including those from Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands, are in T-town this week. Riders from Australia, Poland, Italy and Trinidad & Tobago are also in town.

“There’s going to be incredible racing with the line-up that we have and the amount of international talent that’s here,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “Both the men’s field and the women’s field are extremely strong this year. The Keirin Cup is a very prestigious race and there are a lot of riders that hope to have their name on that trophy.”

Favorites: Picking the early favorites may seem like an easy task. On the men’s side, Poland’s Kamil Kuczynski returns as defending champion of the event. Kuczynski is already expressing his intentions to claim the Cup a second-straight year. However, he’ll have to contend with Italy’s Roberto Chiappa, who didn’t compete at Valley Preferred Cycling Center last season. Chiappa, a three-time Olympian, has always been popular with the fans and may prove to be a sentimental favorite this Friday night.

On the women’s side, reigning champ Natasha Hansen of New Zealand isn’t back to defend the trophy, leaving the door open for a new name on the Cup. The early favorite may be Dutch rider Yvonne Hijgenaar, a former world champion and current world record holder.

What’s a Keirin? The Keirin is an exciting and sometimes dangerous five-lap race in which riders jockey for the ideal position behind a motorcycle that steadily increases speeds for three-and-a-half laps around the velodrome. When the motorcycle pulls off, racers scramble to grab the lead and sprint for more than a lap to fight for the victory.

Beyond the Racing: Valley Preferred Cycling Center strives to serve fans with a memorable event experience. This week, the Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix features young recording artist Troy Dean, who will be performing in the plaza beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans will also get to hear the sounds of the Lehigh Valley Youth Drumline, and watch an exhibition of roller derby with the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls.

Event Details: This Friday’s Meade Orthopaedics Keirin Cup XXV, presented by Coordinated Health, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Troy Dean. Come out to Valley Preferred Cycling Center for an all-organic dinner, a cold drink, and lots of fun in the plaza. Racing begins at 7:30. Tickets start at $5.00. Kids 12 and under free.

Super Tuesday at Valley Preferred Cycling Center rolls off tonight at 7:30.  The weekly 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series and the Bear Creek Future Stars series always put on a great show for the fans.  This mid-week event is a great opportunity to mix-and-mingle with the cycling community and get a closer look at the cyclists.  No doubt the pros will be out in full force tonight for a tune up to this Friday’s 25th annual Keirin Cup event.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Racing fans never know what to expect in a Golden Wheel Race. The handicapper’s event sets the favorites and underdogs, then inverts them to start the race. The strongest rider is left with the greatest distance to cover and the excitement rises as the faster racers pursue their opponents, who never stop trying to stave off the oncoming, faster cyclists. This year’s event, presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, provided all the excitement and suspense a Golden Wheel Race can possibly offer.

When the gun was fired for the men’s event, the crowd intently watched to see if favorite Bobby Lea, who started shotgun on the field, and the likes of Shane Archbald, Giddeon Massie, Matt Baranoski and Kamil Kuczynski, could come from the back to grab the win. By the time those speedsters got towards the front, New Zealand countrymates Aaron Gate and Sam Steele made a break from the pack. Gate held off Steele to give the Kiwis a 1-2 finish, with Poland’s Kuczynski settling for third. It was Gate’s first victory at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

“The breakaway wasn’t planned at all, but we got to riding together and we knew the fast guys would be coming from behind,” said Gate. “I knew there was a train coming, but I wasn’t looking back. It was definitely a help to have a teammate beside me. It is just great to get my first win at T-town, especially with the crowd we had here tonight.”

On the women’s side, the race quickly turned into a chess match at the front. Several riders jockeyed for the front wheel lap after lap, but at the end it was Emmaus native Kimberly Geist that grabbed another T-town win.

“We had a strong field, and there were plenty of fast riders coming from behind,” said Geist, a crowd-favorite at T-town. “As a sprinter, this is a good event for me. I had some problems in the qualifying races earlier in the night. That may have ended up being to my advantage for the start of this race. I’m just glad I was able to win.”

PeeWee Pedalers: One of the highlights of the night was the HealthAmerica PeeWee Pedalers Promenade. Valley Preferred Cycling Center has always taken pride in its strong community programs. The Promenade nights are a great opportunity to showcase a program designed specifically for kids ages 5-8 . Nearly 60 kids that took some laps around the velodrome to the delight of the fans. It was a great testament to a strong community program at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

“PeeWee Pedalers is such a wonderful program,” said Ben Miller, director of cycling operations at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “The program really is fun. We prepare these kids to ride safely, and to be able to ride a bike with skill and enjoy it. One thing we do is put the kids through an obstacle course to hone their skills. It’s so great to watch these kids get better and better each week. And the kids just have so much fun with it.”

The program wraps up with the Promenade, which is a graduation of sorts for these kids and their parents.

“It’s an exciting night for the kids,” added Miller. “They get to come out here on a Friday night and ride their bike in front of their family, their friends and their community. And everywhere you look you see a proud parent with a camera. As an organization, we hope this night is a testament to how great our community programs are.”

In addition to the HealthAmerica PeeWee Pedalers, Valley Preferred Cycling Center also runs the competitive Red Robin Bicycle Racing League for kids 9-17, and the popular Air Products Developmental Cycling Program for all ages.

Bicycles, Tricycles and More: Popular bicycle collector Bob Swaim put about 25 unique bikes on display in the plaza. Swaim brought one of his 400-pound seven-passenger “Conference Bike” tricycles, as well as an enclosed velo mobile and a unique three-view PSU, which pits 2 recumbents facing opposite directions, with an upright captain’s seat in the middle. His collection, and engaging stories, were a hit with fans of all ages.

Swaim’s hobby started with a simple desire to exercise, but he quickly took an interest in the diversity that bicycles offer.

“I wanted to exercise, but I have a short attention span,” Swaim said. “If I just wanted to ride one bicycle or one trail, I’d get bored. So this way I never get bored. With exercise, you need two things going for you. You need diversity in what you’re using so you don’t get bored mentally. And you need diversity in what muscles you’re using; doing the same thing over and over again because is no longer exercise when your body gets used to it.”

Swaim, who has over 200 bikes in his collection, takes a great interest in passing his bicycle passion on to kids. He does about 40 speaking engagements a year.

“With my collection of bicycles, I can talk about health, history, engineering, the environment, diversity and team-building,” added Swaim. “I often ask kids, ‘Who was the first president to ride a bicycle?’ The bicycle wasn’t invented until about 1860, so George Washington isn’t the right answer. In fact, there is no right answer, but it gets the kids thinking. And when it comes to engineering and diversity, kids can really think outside the box and be creative. Then I always end with a lesson in volunteering. I hope the kids get involved in volunteering.”

Next Event: The World Series of Bicycling continues next Friday, July 23, with the 25th running of the popular Keirin Cup. Gates open at 5:30. Racing starts at 7:30. Tickets start at $5.00. Kids 12 and under FREE.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The Golden Wheel Race, presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, cranks up tonight at Valley Preferred Cycling Center.  This is one of the most unique and anticipated events on the World Series of Bicycling schedule.   A Golden Wheel Race is a handicap race where the riders are staggered at different points along the track based on their speed. The strongest rider is left with the greatest distance to cover and the excitement rises as the faster racers pursue their opponents, who never stop trying to stave off the oncoming, faster cyclists.

“The Golden Wheel Race is one of the most exciting events on the track,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “We spread the riders out by ability and make them chase each other. If we handicap it right, they should all be coming together with about one lap to go. As we’ve seen in the last couple of years, this is one event that brings the people to their feet.”

Don’t miss out on any of the action.  Gates open at 5:30.  Come on out for an all-organic dinner, a cold drink, live music and lots of fun in the plaza. Racing begins at 7:30. Tickets start at $5.00. Kids 12 and under free.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Today we received the following letter from Matt Baranoski addressed to us and members of the cycling community. This letter, in addition to his accomplishments, exemplifies the type of young athletes we strive to develop at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. 

Thank you, Matt for your kind words and your dedication to Cycling. Good luck at Worlds, we are all behind you.

Dear Staff and community of the VPCC,

Words cannot begin to describe how amazing it was to be able to compete at junior Track Nationals and make the worlds time standard at my own home track, The Valley Preferred Cycling Center. This past weekend at T-Town will be one that I will never forget. It was an incredible feeling to be out on the track and have the fans clapping and banging the boards for me. The support and encouragement I received from my team, sponsors, and all the riders, officials, and board of directors at T-Town was phenomenal.

Earning a national jersey and representing the United States at Junior Worlds has been a dream of mine since I have been eight years old. I know I would never have been able to realize this dream if it hadn’t been for the support of my parents and coaches as well as the grassroots programs at the VPCC. I was introduced to the sport of track cycling through the pee wee pedalers and Air Products developmental cycling programs. I have spent every summer for the past ten years at the track learning to race. There are so many people who have helped me along the way that it would be impossible to thank all of you individually so I would like to thank those of you who have helped me if it had not been for you I wouldn’t have been able to realize my dreams.

Sincerely,

Matt Baranoski

Team Alliance Environmental

http://mattbaranoski.blogspot.com/ 

The underdog plays a leading role this Friday night at Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown. The popular Golden Wheel Race, presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, is one of the most unique and anticipated events on the World Series of Bicycling schedule. A Golden Wheel Race is a handicap race where the riders are staggered at different points along the track based on their speed. The strongest rider is left with the greatest distance to cover and the excitement rises as the faster racers pursue their opponents, who never stop trying to stave off the oncoming, faster cyclists.

“The Golden Wheel Race is one of the most exciting events on the track,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “We spread the riders out by ability and make them chase each other. If we handicap it right, they should all be coming together with about one lap to go. As we’ve seen in the last couple of years, this is one event that brings the people to their feet.”

The most exciting part of this Friday’s event may not be what happens on the track, but simply who is on the track. Valley Preferred Cycling Center welcomes its largest contingent of international riders thus far this season.

New Zealand’s Shane Archbald returns to defend his 2010 Rider of the Year crown. He is joined by countrymates Eddie Dawkins, a World Cup champion, and Sam Webster, also a world champion. Crowd favorite Kamil Kuczynski, Poland National Team member and World Cup champion, also returns.

On the women’s side, the Netherlands’ Yvonne Hijgenaar, the women’s world omnium champion, makes her first appearance at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Meanwhile, the New Zealand women’s Team Pursuit squad, which is a former world champion and current world record holder, has made the trip to T-town.

Nothstein is excited about the caliber of cyclists that is coming to T-town this Friday night for the Golden Wheel.

“There won’t be any shortage of talent or horsepower,” said Nothstein. “The problem is the shortage of start positions with the way we handicap the race. These riders will be fighting for 21 spots on the track to battle it out for the Golden Wheel Race final. I expect the racing to be probably the best that it’s been all year.”

With Golden Wheel starting spots at a premium, the qualifying heat races should be just as exciting as the feature event.

“There’s going to be 3 heats of riders, and they’re broken down by ability,” Nothstein added. “The super-fast guys are going to be fighting for five spots. The medium distance riders are fighting for 5 spots and our endurance riders are fighting for 5 spots. Then we’ll have a scratch race repertoire for the six remaining spots. I expect some really exciting racing.”

This Friday’s international field will also include some of the best U.S. cyclists, including Shane Kline of the Bissell team, Bahati Foundation rider Lanell Rockmore, and Iggy Silva of the Trek Livestrong team.

He’s Back:  Archbald, who acknowledged winning Rider of the Year was a proud accomplishment, has a lighthearted take on his return to T-town.

“It’s good,” said Archbald, who is also defending champion of the Golden Wheel. “It’s just like it was when we left it. It’s humid, hot, rain on its way.”

While conditions may seem the same, Archbald knows to defend his title he will need to top a lot of great cyclists.

“It’s always tough, same as last year,” Archarld added. “It’s always going to be hard to win, but we’ll see how it goes later in the year.”

Cycling’s Future: The HealthAmerica PeeWee Pedalers will enjoy their night under the lights at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The kids, ages 5-8, have been training for this night for weeks. After completing the popular bike skills and safety course, the PeeWee Pedalers get to take several laps in front of our Friday night crowd before completing an obstacle course to the podium area. The PeeWee Pedalers Promenade always serves as a reminder of the joy we can take in simply riding a bike.

Event Details: This Friday’s Golden Wheel Race, presented by Allentown Family Foot Care, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a live band. Come out to Valley Preferred Cycling Center for an all-organic dinner, a cold drink, and lots of fun in the plaza. Racing begins at 7:30. Tickets start at $5.00. Kids 12 and under free.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

Our junior riders  proved over the weekend that they can put on a thrilling show.  The USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships may be in the books, but these young riders still have plenty of laps left in their legs.   

If you were impressed by Junior Nationals, then come out to Valley Preferred Cycling Center on Tuesday nights to get a glimpse of the sport’s future in the Bear Creek Future Stars series.  Our best young riders will join the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series on Tuesday nights, giving our youngsters the chance to watch and compete with some of the best riders on the planet.

What’s in a Name?  We like to call it Super Tuesday because it really is a great night of racing.  The card has everything, from the future stars to the hungry Cat-3s to the international elite.  Tuesday is a great night to bask in T-town.  Bicycling editor-at-large Bill Strickland gives Tuesdays in T-town a good review:

“Tuesday is my favorite night; it’s free, and the food is still great,” said Strickland. ”You can mingle with the racers. I brought a friend here from Portland just a few weeks ago. He called it the ‘Field of Dreams’.  He was looking at it with completely fresh eyes. He was pointing out the sun and the light coming over the velodrome.  We were sitting on the VIP deck, which you can go on on a Tuesday night.  He couldn’t believe it.  I guess I sort of just take things for granted because it’s always been here.  But he really opened my eyes to what it is.  The ‘Field of Dreams’ is a great way to describe it.”

A special thanks to Strickland for the kind words.  Now we’re interested in how our fans describe Super Tuesday.  Please comment on the Facebook fan page.

See You at the Track: Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.  The Breakaway Cafe will be open.  Come on out and see what Super Tuesday is all about.

Valley Preferred Cycling Center continues to produce some of the top cyclists in the country.  This past weekend’s USA Cycling 2010 Juniors Track National Championships in Trexlertown proved the T-town crowd can race with the best, and as the best.  Perkasie’s Matt Baranoski grabbed four national titles (Sprint, Keirin, Scratch and Team Sprint) in the men 17-18 age group.  Kutztown’s Shelbe Eck teamed up with Colorado’s Madalyn Godby to win a Stars-and-Stripes jersey in the Team Sprint in the women 17-18 group.  The weekend offered a bit of a throwback as well, as longtime velodrome fans saw another Nothstein climb to the top of the podium.  Devon Nothstein captured a national championship in the women 10-12 omnium.  Nothstein is the daughter of Valley Preferred Cycling Center executive director Marty Nothstein, a two-time Olympic medalist and crowd favorite.

While one can’t deny the home track advantage that came for this year’s nationals being held in T-town, one only has to reflect on the historical record.  Valley Preferred Cycling Center has produced nearly 150 national champions in its 35 years.  The venue’s cycling development programs are arguably the best in the country.  In fact, most of the junior riders in this year’s national championships cut their teeth in the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program, Red Robin Bicyle Racing League and/or the Bear Creek Future Stars series.  And if those programs aren’t enough, Valley Preferred Cycling Center is ramping up its HealthAmerica PeeWee Pedalers program to further develop a love for cycling among children.

So, how are we doing with our development programs?  Just take a look at the complete results for the USA Cycling 2010 Juniors Track National Championships (our local riders are in bold).  We’re excited.  Our riders – all of them – are among the best in the country.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured

The final five national titles were awarded in Trexlertown on Sunday as the 2010 USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships came to a close. Champions were crowned in the men’s and women’s 17-18 team sprints, the Madison, and the men’s and women’s 15-16 overall omniums.
 
The first of three team competitions featured on the final day of racing was the men’s team sprint in which Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing), Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club), and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) rode to the podium’s top step. The threesome of Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team), and Cory Williams (Los Angeles, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club) had the silver medal ride while Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club), Kenny Strickland (San Ramon, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club), and Ryan Gadow (Dublin, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club) put forth the bronze medal effort.
 
The women’s team sprint saw the duo of Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) and Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.) ride into Stars-and-Stripes jerseys while Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC) and Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens-Cannondale) grabbed the silver medal. The bronze medals went to Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) and Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
 
The men’s Madison provided plenty of excitement with Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club) and Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing) taking top honors. Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club) rode to the silver medal while Danny Hiller (Boulder, Colo.) and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) took the bronze.
 
In addition to the team events that took place on Sunday, national champions were crowned in the men’s and women’s 15-16 omniums as riders in that age group wrapped up their competition with the points race.
 
Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles) solidified her overall lead with a win in the points race over silver and bronze medalists Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale) and Nadia Latzgo (Fogelsville, Pa./Team Line-LWA). Valente slipped into the Stars-and-Stripes jersey as the omnium winner after collecting the most points over four days of racing in her age category. Grabbing second place in the omnium was McCormick while Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex) secured the bronze medal.
 
In the men’s 15-16 points race, Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners) bested second- and third-place finishers Zachary Carlson (Plano, Texas/Matrix RBM) and Gregory Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Lin-LWA). Then, at the end of the day, it was Caleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) to be named national champion after collecting the most points in the overall omnium. He stood on the podium’s top step, taking the national championship over second- and third-ranked Michael Dessau and Greg Ratzell.
 
The USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships are now in the books. CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of all the action, or here for complete results.
 
USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships
Valley Preferred Cycling Center – Trexlertown, Pa.
July 8-11, 2010
 
Men Team Sprint
1. Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing), Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club), and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
2. Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team), and Cory Williams (Los Angeles, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club)
3. Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club), Kenny Strickland (San Ramon, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club), and Ryan Gadow (Dublin, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
4. Patrick Bastianelli (Brick, NJ), Kevin McGuire (Miami, Fla.), and Benjamin Salibra (Fayetteville, NY)
5. Royce Strange (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing), Imari Miller (Fort Worth, Texas/GS Tenzing), and Noah Williams (Flower Mound, Texas/GS Tenzing)
 
Women Team Sprint
1. Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) and Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.)
2. Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC) and Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens-Cannondale)
3. Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) and Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
4. Stephanie Torres (East Elmhurst, NY) and Elizabeth Engwis (Kenosha, Wis./Team Kenda)
5. Melissa Garcia (Bethlehem, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) and Bailey Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
 
Women 15-16 Points Race
1. Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles)
2. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale)
3. Nadia Latzgo (Fogelsville, Pa./Team Line-LWA)
 
Men 15-16 Points Race
1. Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners)
2. Zachary Carlson (Plano, Texas/Matrix RBM)
3. Gregory Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Lin-LWA)
 
Men 15-16 Omnium
1. Caleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
2. Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holoweso Partners)
3. Greg Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Line-LWA)
4. Daniel Kosykh (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
5. Zachary Carlson (Plano, Texas/Matrix-RBM)
 
Women 15-16 Omnium
1. Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Callif./GS Avenue Bicycles)
2. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale)
3. Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex)
4. Nadia Latzgo (Fogelsville, Pa./Team Line-LWA)
5. Melissa Garcia (Bethlehem, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
 
Men 16-18 Madison
1. Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club) and Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing)
2. Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
3. Danny Hiller (Boulder, Colo.) and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
4. John Tomlinson (Chicago, Ill./XXX Racing) and Collin Barry (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
5. Nicholas Roeder (Orefield, Pa./Amoroso’s Racing Team) and Zachary Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)

USA Cycling Press Release
Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured, for USA Cycling

After inclement weather forced the morning session to be delayed until afternoon, day three of the USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships was a busy one. Nine national titles were awarded on the penultimate day as riders in the 17-18 age category continued to heat up the track, and the 10-12 and 13-14 groups completed their overall omniums.
 
The men’s team pursuit saw the Young Medalists squad of Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists), Robin Carpenter (Philadelphia, Pa.), Wesley Kline (Emmaus, Pa.) and Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa.) win the national title over the foursome of Nate Geoffrion (Petaluma, Calif./All Sport-Team Swift), Ryan Eastman (Petaluma, Calif./All Sport-Team Swift), Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) and Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing). The bronze medal squad consisted of Matthew Lipscomb (Decatur, Ga./Greenville Spinners), Neal Shepherd (Palm Coast, Fla./Orlando Road Club), Ben Barthel (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara) and Andrew Lanier (Gilroy, Calif./Team Specialized).
 
In the men’s 17-18 keirin, Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) rode into his second Stars-and-Stripes jersey of the weekend with a win over silver and bronze medalists Ryan Gadow (Dublin, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club) and Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club). Rounding out the podium in fourth and fifth were Dan Birman (Beaverton, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental) and Ian Schlarman (Allen, Texas/FCC Racing)
 
Baranoski continued his winning ways on Saturday evening with a third win, this time in the men’s 17-18 10-kilometer scratch race. The silver and bronze medals for this race went to Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) and Zack Noonan while Zachary Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) and Benjamin Swedberg were fourth and fifth respectively.
 
Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) found herself in a familiar position on the top step of the podium again on Saturday. Rivera bested Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.) and Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) in the women’s 17-18 keirin while Elizabeth Engwis (Kenosha, Wis./Team Kenda) and Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) put forth the fourth- and fifth-place efforts.
 
In the women’s 17-18 seven-kilometer scratch race, it was Winder to ride into the Stars-and-Stripes jersey. Rivera grabbed the silver medal while Erin Popovich (Plano, Texas) secured the bronze. Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC) and Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara) stood on the final two steps of the podium.
 
The men and women in the 10-12 and 13-14 categories wrapped up their racing on Saturday evening and national champions were crowned for those groups in the overall omniums.
 
Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore./Beaverton Bicycle Club) grabbed yet another win in the men’s 10-12 category, claiming the gold in the two-kilometer scratch race ahead of James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/Velosports Racing) and Jules Gilliam (Manhattan Beach, Calif.).
 
McElroy’s victory on Saturday secured him the national championship in the overall omnium. Brookshire was second in the omnium while Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) claimed the bronze medal. Jules Gilliam (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Major Motion) and Angel Lopez (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion)rounded out fourth and fifth.
 
Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.) completed her sweep of the women’s 10-12 events with a win in the two-kilometer scratch race. She finished ahead of Ashley Ambrisko (Mountainview, Calif.) and Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.).
 
Nothstein’s dominating performance over the past three days earned her the title of national champion. She collected the most points in the women’s 10-12 omnium, ahead of second- and third-ranked  Courtney Krasley and Ashley Ambrisko. Riding to the fourth and fifth steps of the omnium podium were Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling) and Courtney Comer (San Marcos, Calif./San Diego Bicycle Club)
 
Daniel Parks (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing) won the men’s 13-14 ten-kilometer points race over silver and bronze medalists Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing) and Zeke Mostov (San Francisco, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club).
 
After three solid days of racing, it was Valencia to ride into the Stars-and-Stripes jersey as the overall omnium winner. Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling) and Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/Velosports Racing) were third and fourth in the omnium while Daniel Parks was fourth and Zeke Mostov claimed fifth.
 
In the women’s 13-14 eight-kilometer points race, Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen) collected the most points to take the win ahead of Zoe Reeves (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Danielle Mullis (Rochester, Mich.).
 
With the most points collected however over all three days of racing, Reeves grabbed the win in the overall omnium. Coming in second was Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion) while Korbich grabbed the bronze. Payton Thomas (Grapevine, Texas/FCS-Metro Volkswagon) and Danielle Mullis rounded out the omnium podium.
 
The men and women in the 15-16 age group contested their 500-meter time trials on Sasturday, but their overall omniums will not be awarded until Sunday, after the points races.
 
Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) clocked the fastest time among men 15-16, taking the gold medal ahead of Daniel Kosykh (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) and Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners).
 
Not surprisingly, Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles) found herself on top of the podium again, beating the times of silver and bronze medalists Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale) and Nadia Latzgo (Fogelsville, Pa./Team Line-LWA)
 
The USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships will wrap up on Sunday. Stay tuned for coverage of all the action at www.usacycling.org.
 
USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships
Valley Preferred Cycling Center – Trexlertown, Pa.
July 8-11, 2010
 
Men 17-18 Keirin
1. Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
2. Ryan Gadow (Dublin, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
3. Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club)
4. Dan Birman (Beaverton, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental)
5. Ian Schlarman (Allen, Texas/FCC Racing)
 
Women 17-18 Keirin
1. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
2. Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.)
3. Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.)
4. Elizabeth Engwis (Kenosha, Wis./Team Kenda)
5. Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
 
Men 17-18 10-kilometer Scratch Race
1. Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
2. Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
3. Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa./Young Medalists)
4. Zachary Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
5. Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing)
 
Women 17-18 7-kilometer Scratch Race
1. Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
2. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
3. Erin Popovich (Plano, Texas)
4. Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC)
5. Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara)
 
Men’s Team Pursuit
1. Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists), Robin Carpenter (Philadelphia, Pa.), Wesley Kline (Emmaus, Pa.) and Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa.)
2. Nate Geoffrion (Petaluma, Calif./All Sport-Team Swift), Ryan Eastman (Petaluma, Calif./All Sport-Team Swift), Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) and Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing)
3. Matthew Lipscomb (Decatur, Ga./Greenville Spinners), Neal Shepherd (Palm Coast, Fla./Orlando Road Club), Ben Barthel (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara) and Andrew Lanier (Gilroy, Calif./Team Specialized)
4. Royce Strange (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing), Imari Miller (Fort Worth, Texas/GS Tenzing), Noah Williams (Flower Mound, Texas/GS Tenzing) and Daniel Parks (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing)
5. Cesar Lopez (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion), Cesar Simmons (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion), Erick Goytia (El Paso, Texas) and Amir Merali (Miami, Fla.)
 
Men 10-12 Omnium
1. Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore./Beaverton Bicycle Club)
2. James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/Velosports Racing)
3. Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists)
4. Jules Gilliam (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Major Motion)
5. Angel Lopez (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion)
 
Women 10-12 Omnium
1. Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Calif./Chester County Cycling)
2. Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa./Vortex Cycling Club)
3. Ashley Ambrisko (Mountainview, Calif./Los Gatos Bicycle Racing)
4. Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling)
5. Courtney Comer (San Marcos, Calif./San Diego Bicycle Club)
 
Men 13-14 Omnium
1. Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing)
2. Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling)
3. Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/Velosports Racing)
4. Daniel Parks (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing)
5. Zeke Mostov (San Francisco, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
 
Women 13-14 Omnium
1. Zoe Reeves (Grand Rapids, Mich./Priority Health)
2. Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion)
3. Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen Association)
4. Payton Thomas (Grapevine, Texas/FCS-Metro Volkswagon)
5. Danielle Mullis (Rochester, Mich./Wolverine Sports Club)
 
Men 10-12 2-kilometer Scratch Race
1. Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore.)
2. James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC)
3. Jules Gilliam (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
 
Women 10-12 2-kilometer Scratch Race
1. Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.)
2. Ashley Ambrisko (Mountainview, Calif.)
3. Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.
 
Men 13-14 10-kilometer Points Race
1. Daniel Parks (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing)
2. Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing)
3. Zeke Mostov (San Francisco, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
 
Women 13-14 8-kilometer Points Race
1. Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen)
2. Zoe Reeves (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
3. Danielle Mullis (Rochester, Mich.)
 
Men 15-16 500-meter Time Trial
1. Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
2. Daniel Kosykh (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
3. Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners)
 
Women 15-16 500-meter Time Trial
1. Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles)
2. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale)
3. Nadia Latzgo (Fogelsville, Pa./Team Line-LWA)

USA Cycling Press Release
Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured, for USA Cycling

Four more national titles were awarded on day two of the USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships in Trexlertown. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) claimed her 30th and 31st junior national titles while John Tomlinson (Chicago, Ill./XXX Racing)and Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) rode into Stars-and-Stripes jerseys in men’s competition.
 
The morning session saw the men and women in the 17-18 age groups compete in the points races. Rivera grabbed her 30th career national title with a win over silver and bronze medalist Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12) and Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara). Rounding out the podium in fourth and fifth were Kate Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling) and Antonina Esposto (Blandon, Pa.)
 
Rivera then increased her Stars-and-Stripes jersey count to 31 by outsprinting Elizabeth Engwis (Kenosha, Wis./Team Kenda) in the gold medal round of the women’s sprint during the evening session. Stephanie Torres (East Elmhurst, NY) bested Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) in the bronze medal round while Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.) grabbed the final step on the podium.
 
The morning session saw John Tomlinson stand on top of the podium after collecting the most points over 25 kilometers in the men’s 17-18 points race. Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club) and Joe Prettyman (Portland, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental) rode to the silver and bronze medals while Matthew Lipscomb (Decatur, Ga./Greenville Spinners) and  Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) posted the fourth- and fifth-place results.
 
Matthew Baranoski sprinted his way into a national champion’s jersey with his win over Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) in the men’s 17-18 sprint. Dan Birman (Beaverton, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental) bested Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club) for the bronze medal while Erick Goytia (El Paso, Texas) rounded out the podium in fifth.
 
During the afternoon session, the younger categories of riders continued their quests for the overall omniums by competing in their scratch races.
 
Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa./Team Alliance) took her second gold medal in as many days with a win over Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.) and Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./Connie Cycling) in the women’s 10-12 event.
 
Among men 10-12, Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore.) also collected his second gold medal of the week with a win over James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling) and Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa.)
 
Zoe Reeves (Grand Rapids, Mich.) rode onto the top step of the podium in the women’s 13-14 scratch race, beating out silver and bronze medalists Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion Cycling) and Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen)
 
In the men’s 13-14 scratch race, Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing) improved on his bronze medal performance from Thursday with a gold medal ride. He finished ahead of second- and third-place finishers Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./Connie Cycling Junior Racing Team) and Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling).
 
Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles) rode to her second gold medal of the event with her success in the women’s 15-16 scratch race. She bested Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./.Helens Cannondale) and Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex).
 
In the men’s 15-16 event, Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) also repeated his success from Thursday with a win over Gregory Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Line-LWA)and Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners).
 
The USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships will continue on Saturday. Stay tuned for coverage of all the action at www.usacycling.org.
 
USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships
Valley Preferred Cycling Center – Trexlertown, Pa.
July 8-11, 2010
 
Women 17-18 7-kilometer Points Race
1. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
2. Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
3. Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara)
4. Kate Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling)
5. Antonina Esposto (Blandon, Pa.)
 
Men 17-18 25-kilometer Points Race
1. John Tomlinson (Chicago, Ill./XXX Racing)
2. Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
3. Joe Prettyman (Portland, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental)
4. Matthew Lipscomb (Decatur, Ga./Greenville Spinners)
5. Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists)
 
Women 17-18 Sprint
1. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12)
2. Elizabeth Engwis (Kenosha, Wis./Team Kenda)
3. Stephanie Torres (East Elmhurst, NY)
4. Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.)
5. Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.)
 
Men 17-18 Sprint
1. Matthew Baranoski (Perkasie, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
2. Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
3. Dan Birman (Beaverton, Ore./Bike n Hike Giant Continental)
4. Jesse Marans (Irvine, Calif./Major Motion Cycling Club)
5. Erick Goytia (El Paso, Texas)
 
Women 10-12 Scratch Race
1. Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa./Team Alliance)
2. Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.)
3. Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./Connie Cycling)
 
Men 10-12 Scratch Race
1. Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore.)
2. James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling)
3. Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa.)
 
Women 13-14 Scratch Race
1. Zoe Reeves (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
2. Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion Cycling)
3. Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen)
 
Men 13-14 Scratch Race
1. Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing)
2. Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./Connie Cycling Junior Racing Team)
3. Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music  p/b Asheville Youth Cycling)
 
Women 15-16 Scratch Race
1. Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles)
2. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./.Helens Cannondale)
3. Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex)
 
Men 15-16 Scratch Race
1. Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
2. Gregory Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Line-LWA)
3. Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners)

USA Cycling Press Release
Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured, for USA Cycling

The 2010 USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships have delivered several wonderful story lines so far, but none can top local favorite Matt Baranoski’s triumph in the Sprints. The Perkasie, Pa., native delighted his hometown crowd by winning his second Stars-and-Stripes jersey during tonight’s special installment of the World Series of Bicycling at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, which featured the Junior Nationals.

Baranoski last season claimed a nationals victories last year in the Scratch Race and Sprints at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. In 2010, though, having the T-town crowd behind him makes this win a little extra special.

“Home track advantage was great,” said Baranoski. “Everybody is rooting for you. There is so many more people on your side than anybody else. People you don’t even know from T-Town just cheering for you. It’s an awesome feeling.”

With this victory, Baranoski will now move on to compete in Junior Worlds in Italy from August 11-15. Baranoski said that he’ll start training for the international competition on Monday. Why wait for Monday? Because he still has more events to compete in during this year’s Junior Nationals. He’ll compete in the Scratch Race, Keirin and Team Sprints the next two days.

A Night for the Kids: Giving the junior riders a chance to compete during a World Series of Bicycling event created a memorable experience for cycling’s future. While pros Jackie Simes and Bobby Lea dazzled the crowd with exciting race wins, the focus of the night could never escape the juniors.

Giddeon Massie, a multi-time Junior Nationals champ and two-time Olympian, welcome the kids to the World Series of Bicycling.

“I think it’s terrific,” said Massie. “I started when I was 9, 10, 11 years old in the Air Products cycling development program right here at this track. I think it’s great for these junior riders to have someone to look up to and someone to aspire towards. I think it’s something that they can appreciate and recognize that some of the best athletes in the world – sprint cyclists and endurance riders – have come from this place.

“They can come up and ask us questions, and mingle and just appreciate this opportunity. At this age it’s just fun. But if cycling is something they choose to pursue further, I would hope that they can look on this as something where they can truly get something out of it and aspire towards.”

Massie also understands this night is a great chance to him to see the future of his sport.

“I think that part of the fun of it,” Massie added. “I love to watch and see who is coming up. I like to see who has that passion and that fire in their eyes. If I have a chance to chat with them and just answer their questions, I enjoy that. As we’re here amongst them, I hope we’re all very approachable. It gives us a chance to field questions and be available to them.”

America’s Got Talent: USA Cycling’s Jamie Staff, who is charged with building a world-class sprint program through athlete recruitment and development, is attending this weekend’s Junior Nationals. Staff is a recent hire for the organization, but he’s finding out quickly that the U.S. has a crop of talented cyclists.

“I’m inspired,” said Staff. “You come in here and you don’t know what you have to work with. A lot of people say there is no talent in the U.S., but there is. It’s not like I have to go out and find people to put on bikes. There are plenty of good riders. They want to race. They’ve got support by parents and coaches. It’s really encouraging.

“We have a long-term project. There’s no reason the U.S. riders can’t compete with riders all over the world. I’m just hoping to build a few national programs to encourage the kids to participate and move forward and progress. I want these kids to believe that one day they can represent a team at a major event.”

Tour de Lance: Bill Strickland, editor-at-large at Bicycling magazine, signed copies of his new book, Tour de Lance, in the plaza during the event. All proceeds from book sales will support the Red Robin Bicycle Racing League.

“I’ve lived in the Lehigh Valley since 1991, and I’ve seen so many kids come up through the Bicycle Racing League,” Strickland said. “With some of the youth coaches that we have, these kids get faster, and faster, and faster every year. A lot those kids have gone on to the pro ranks. It’s such a great thing to see that kind of growth. And even the kids who haven’t become pros, it’s just about what cycling gives them: the discipline, and the fact that they are in a life-long sport.”

More Racing: The USA Cycling Juniors Track Nationals returns to action bright and early Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., followed by an evening session at 6:00 p.m.  The event concludes Sunday morning with a 10:00 a.m. session.  The World Series of Bicycling returns to action next Friday, July 16, with The Golden Wheel Race.  Gates open at 5:30.  Racing starts at 7:30.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod at Cycling Captured.

Tonight’s World Series of Bicyling event promises to be one of the most-exciting event of the season.  So exciting that we’re cranking things up at 6:00 p.m. this week (Gates open at 4:30).  We have an expanded slate of racing that includes the 2010 USA Cycling Juniors Track Nationals.  This is a great opportunity for the nation’s best young riders to experience the thrill of racing under the Friday night lights in T-town.

With USA Cycling and the Junior Nationals in town, Valley Preferred Cycling Center is pulling out all the stops tonight. 

“One thing that is important, though, is that we want to show the rest of the country and the rest of the families how it’s done here in T-town,” said Marty Nothstein, executive director of Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “We look forward to putting on a great event. We’re going to introduce them to some fantastic international racing Friday night when the juniors join our World Series of Bicycling card. It’s a special opportunity for our local kids to shine and showcase their skills in front of not only USA Cycling, but the best riders in this country.”

Fans are encouraged to get here early and cheer on several local favorites in the Junior Nationals.  Valley Preferred Cycling Center has consistently produced junior national champions.  There are several area kids vying for their own Stars-and-Stripes jersey this weekend.  The velodrome staff recently caught up with two of those riders.  Hear what they had to say:

Event Information: Racing starts at 6:00 p.m. with Junior Nationals.  Pros race later in the evening.  Gates open at 4:30. Come early, grab an organic bite to eat and your favorite beverage. Also, the band Shake, Rattle & Soul will be entertaining before the racing starts.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured.

Four national titles were awarded on Thursday as the 2010 USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships opened at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pa. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12), Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes), Benny Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing), and Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC) all rode into Stars-and-Stripes jerseys on a very hot day that saw temperatures reach 98 degrees.
 
Coryn Rivera added a 29th gold medal to her collection of hardware when she posted a time of 2:36 over two kilometers to claim the national title in the women’s 17-18 individual pursuit. Rivera bested the time of 2:41 posted by runner-up Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara). Grabbing the bronze medal was Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) while Erin Popovich (Plano, Texas Matrix Cycling Club) and Kate Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling) rounded out fourth and fifth.
 
USA Cycling National Development Program stand-out Lawson Craddock clocked a time of 3:32 in the men’s 17-18 three-kilometer pursuit to beat the time of 3:43 posted by silver medalist Matthew Lipscomb (Greenville, SC/Greenville Spinners). Riding to the third spot on the podium was Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa./Young Medalists) while Neal Shepherd (Palm Coast, Fla./Orlando Road Club) and Ben Barthel (Echelon Santa Barbara) were fourth and fifth.
 
Posting a time of 1:08, Benjamin Swedberg bested the 1:10 clocked by Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./ISCorp Cycling Team) to ride into a Stars-and-Stripes jersey in the men’s 17-18 kilometer time trial. Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.) posted the third fastest time to secure the bronze medal as Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) and Matthew Lipscomb (Greenville, SC/Greenville Spinners) rounded out the podium.
 
The final national title of day one was awarded to Christine Barron in the women’s 17-18 500-meter time trial. Completing the event with a time of 38.56, she bested the time of 38.659 posted by silver medalist Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.). Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.) clocked the bronze medal time while Coryn Rivera and Stephanie Torres (East Elmhurst, NY) were the fourth and fifth fastest ladies in the competition.
 
In addition to the four national titles awarded to competitors in the men’s and women’s 17-18 age categories, cyclists in the other three age groups (10-12, 13-14, and 15-16) began their quests for national titles in the overall omniums which will be awarded at the end of the championships on Sunday.
 
Payton Thomas (Grapevine, Texas/FCS-Metro Volkwagon) took the very first win of the morning session, besting silver medalist Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion Cycling) and bronze medalist Julia Sante (Queensbury, NY/Farm Team Cycling) in the women’s 13-14 500-meter time trial.
 
Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./Connie Cycling Junior Racing Team) posted the fasted race against the clock among men 13-14. He had a very strong ride in the heat of the morning session to beat out runner-up Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC /DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling) and third-place finisher Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing)
 
In the men’s 10-12 time trial, Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore.) was the fastest, riding to the top step of the podium ahead of Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) and James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling).
 
In the women’s 10-12 group, it was Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental) to rider her way to the podium’s top step, besting second- and third-place finishers Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.) and Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./Connie Cycling)
 
In the men’s 15-16 sprint, Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team) beat out Bobby Unverzagt (Torrance, Calif./South Bay Wheelmen) in the gold medal round to take the top step of the podium while Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners) won the race for third.
 
Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles) was victorious in the women’s 15-16 sprint, beating Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale) in the final while Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex) won the bronze medal round.
 
Throughout the national championships, winners of the men’s and women’s 17-18 individual events will earn start spots for the UCI Juniors Track World Championships in Montichiari, Italy, August 11-15. For more information on these qualification procedures, including requirements for being a funded team member, please see the athlete nomination worksheet by clicking here. 
 
The USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships will continue on Friday. Stay tuned for coverage of all the action at www.usacycling.org.
 
For more information about the USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships, including a complete schedule of events, please click here.
 
CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of all the action, or here for complete results.
 
USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships
Valley Preferred Cycling Center – Trexlertown, Pa.
July 8-11, 2010
 
Women 17-18 Individual Pursuit
1. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12)
2. Somersby Jenkins (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara)
3. Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
4. Erin Popovich (Plano, Texas/Matrix Cycling Club)
5. Kate Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif./CPT-Connie Cycling)
 
Men 17-18 Individual Pursuit
1. Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes Development)
2. Matthew Lipscomb (Greenville, SC/Greenville Spinners)
3. Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa./Young Medalists)
4. Neal Shepherd (Palm Coast, Fla./Orlando Road Club)
5. Ben Barthel (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara)
 
Men 17-18 Kilometer Time Trial
1. Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing)
2. Charles Martin (Wilmette, Ill./ISCopr Cycling Team)
3. Colt Peterson (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
4. Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists)
5. Matthew Lipscomb (Greenville, SC/Greenville Spinners)
 
Women 17-18 500-Meter Time Trial
1. Christine Barron (Los Angeles, Calif./VRC)
2. Madalyn Godby (Louisville, Colo.)
3. Shelbe Eck (Kutztown, Pa.)
4. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12)
5. Stephanie Torres (East Elmhurst, NY)
 
Women 13-14 500-Meter Time Trial
1. Payton Thomas (Grapevine, Texas/FCS-Metro Volkswagon)
2. Lucia Carreno (El Paso, Texas/Major Motion Cycling)
3. Julia Sante (Queensbury, NY/Farm Team Cycling)
4. Danielle Mullis (Rochester, Mich./Wolverine Sports Club)
5. Evelyn Korbich (New Tripoli, Pa./Lehigh Wheelmen)
 
Men 13-14 500-Meter Time Trial
1. Chazmichael Morales (El Segundo, Calif./Connie Cycling Junior Racing Team)
2. Grayson Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling)
3. Matthew Valencia (Los Altos, Calif./Team Specialized Racing)
4. Zeke Mostov (San Francisco, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club)
5. Daniel Parks (Dallas, Texas/GS Tenzing)
 
Men 15-16 Sprint
1. Kaleb Koch (Glenview, Ill./IS Corp Cycling Team)
2. Bobby Unverzagt (Torrance, Calif./South Bay Wheelmen)
3. Michael Dessau (Boulder, Colo./Team Holowesko Partners)
4. Zack Gould (Boulder, Colo./Tokyo Joe’s)
5. Gregory Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Line-LWA))
 
Women 15-16 Sprint
1. Jennifer Valente (San Diego, Calif./GS Adams Avenue Bicycles)
2. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helens Cannondale)
3. Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Team Vortex)
4. Melissa Garcia (Bethlehem, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
5. Bailey Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Team Alliance Environmental)
 
Men 10-12 500-Meter Time Trial
1. Grant McElroy (Portland, Ore.)
2. Magnus Hartwell (Breinigsville, Pa./Breinigsville, Pa.)
3. James Brookshire (Hendersonville, NC/DIY Music p/b Asheville Youth Cycling)
4. Alec Ratzell (Blandon, Pa./Bike Line-LWA)
5. Luke Mullis (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
 
Women 10-12 500-Meter Time Trial
1. Devon Nothstein (Orefield, Pa./Team Alliance)
2. Courtney Krasley (Coplay, Pa.)
3. Rebecca Israel (Moreno Valley, Calif./Connie Cycling)
4. Ashley Ambrisko (Mountainview, Calif./Los Gatos)
5. Courtney Corner (San Marcos, Calif.)
 
 
About USA Cycling   
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 66,500+ licensees; 2,200 clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,650 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.

USA Cycling Press Release
Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured, for USA Cycling.

The opening session of the USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships is now in the books.  The young riders endured a hot morning at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. 

Following an afternoon breather, the Nationals will crank back up for evening session starting at 6:00 p.m.  There is no cost of admission for tonight’s session.  Plus, our popular Breakaway Cafe will be open, serving up the best organic menu in the Lehigh Valley.

It’s been a great event so far.  But don’t take it from us.  Listen to what some of the junior riders have to say:

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured, for USA Cycling.

Cycling’s future is in Trexlertown this week as Valley Preferred Cycling Center hosts USA Cycling’s 2010 Junior National Championships. The four-day event starts on Thursday and runs through Sunday. A record number of cyclists will participate in this year’s event. Registration has already topped 200, with many more expected throughout the weekend.

The Junior Nationals is always one of the biggest events of the year. This year’s event, however, provides a little extra incentive for the junior riders. With the 2012 London Olympics just two years away, USA Cycling has started the process of building its Olympic roster.

“For these kids, the Junior Nationals is absolutely the premier track event of the year,” said Micah Rice, National Events Director for USA Cycling. “As an organization, we really look at this event for rider development. These are the young kids coming up through the ranks. This is the pipeline to going to a World Cup or going to the Olympics.”

USA Cycling recently hired world champion Jamie Staff to manage a newly restructured track sprint program. Staff is charged with building a world-class sprint program through athlete recruitment and development. One of his first stops: The Junior National Championships.

“We’re bringing a solid staff from our athletic department here,” Rice added. “We’ll be looking at these 15, 16, 17, 18 year olds and Jamie is getting ready to really build a team that in two years will be going to the Olympics. We’re also looking for those young kids that might be looking more at six years down the road, and not just two. This event gives us a great opportunity to see who’s coming up through the ranks. It’s an important trip for our athletics department.”

Valley Preferred Cycling Center Executive Director Marty Nothstein, a Gold Medalist in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, is excited about hosting this week’s event at his hometown track.

“Our junior cyclists have always been a bragging point for us,” said Nothstein. “We have over 140 national champions that have come through our programs, and we expect to add to that tally. I also have no doubt we have Olympic caliber athletes that come through our programs. We look forward to the T-Town kids putting on a great show and making it tough for the rest of the country.”

Welcome to T-Town: Valley Preferred Cycling Center is affectionately known as T-Town in the national cycling community. Some of this country’s best cyclists have either come from the Trexlertown area or spent many summers training here. Bringing the Junior Nationals back to T-Town has created a lot of excitement for both USA Cycling and Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

“There are a number of tracks in the U.S. that are at the caliber of hosting a National Championship event, and T-Town is right there at the top of the list,” Rice said. “It’s not just the quality of the track, but it’s the infrastructure that surrounds the track. By infrastructure, I don’t just mean the grandstands and concession stand, I’m also talking about the people to anchor the event. Besides being a beautiful venue, T-Town has the personnel and sponsorship behind it to run a race of this caliber.”

One of the perks to this year’s event is the opportunity Valley Preferred Cycling Center is giving the Junior racers to share the stage with the pro riders on Friday night during the popular World Series of Bicycling series.

“One thing that is important, though, is that we want to show the rest of the country and the rest of the families how it’s done here in T-Town,” said Nothstein. “We look forward to putting on a great event. We’re going to introduce them to some fantastic international racing Friday night when the juniors join our World Series of Bicycling card. It’s a special opportunity for our local kids to shine and showcase their skills in front of not only USA Cycling, but the best riders in this country.”

Catch the Action: The Junior National Championships kick off Thursday with a morning session at 9:00 a.m., and then an evening session beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event continues Friday and Saturday with morning sessions (9:00 a.m.) and evening sessions (6:00 p.m.) The show wraps up with a Sunday morning session that begins at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free for all sessions except Friday night, when the juniors join the World Series of Bicycling. Tickets for that event start at $5. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Click here for the complete schedule.

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured.

The USA Cycling Junior National Championships comes to Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown this week.  

The four-day event features the best junior cyclists in the country, and gives our local talent a chance to cut their teeth on a national stage. 

A year ago, T-Town riders garnered an impressive six national championships and 31 medals. 

With this year’s event being held at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, one has to wonder, “Do our riders have a hometown advantage?”

The event kicks off bright and early on Thursday, July 8, with a morning session beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Click here for the full four-day schedule.

Now… without further ado, let’s meet our local riders:

Matt Baranoski, 17 Perkasie, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio	Zach Noonan, 17 Kutztown, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio	Zack Semian, 17 Mertztown, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio
Nadia Latzgo, 14 (Racing Age: 15) Fogelsville, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio	Bailey Semian, 14 Mertztown, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio	Greg Ratzell, 14 Blandon, Pa. Liberty Sports Rider Bio

A big thanks to Liberty Sports Magazine for showcasing our local athletes during this year’s Junior Nationals. 

In addition to the Rider Bios, the athletes will be filing stories online at Liberty Sports.

Photos by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured.

Carney, Murfet Claim Mike Walter Madison Title

The oldest man in the field teamed with one of the youngest Friday to win the Second Annual Mike Walter Memorial Madison on a beautiful night for racing that also featured the best of the Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League making their Friday night debut.

American Jame Carney, 42, and Salamander Racing teammate Clay Murfet of Australia  came back from a couple miscues in the initial 40-lap preliminary to take command of the 10-lap final, winning with 56 points over second-place finishers Myron Simpson and Paddy Bevin of New Zealand, who finished with 38 points.

American Olympian Bobby Lea and teammate Jackie Simes IV finished third with 28 points.

“It was ripping,” said Carney, a T-town veteran. “Clay was very strong and the New Zealanders made it hard the whole time.”

Murfet, half Carney’s age, took particular pride in the pairing with the speedy and wily Carney. “He’s the fastest sprinter in the field. He’s the oldest, but he’s the fastest,” Murfet said.”We just really wanted to win.”

American Olympian Gideon Massie set the stage for a fast night of racing from the first heat of the Men’s 10-Lap Scratch Race and later won the final in that event, giving the Red Robin BRL All-Stars some Olympic inspiration for their evening.

“I wanted to make it fun for the crowd,” said Massie, who rides for Bike Religion, also challenged for the 9-Lap Win-and-Out before finishing his evening. “Plus, it was a short night for the sprinters so I figured I’d go for it.”

On the women’s side, returning Rider of the Year Laura McCaughey of Australia made it clear she is looking to retain that title by pushing the women’s field – especially Down Under rivals on the New Zealand national team that includes four World Championship medalists.

“This is the kind of racing I like,” McCaughey said of the spirited women’s field. “There’s much more firepower now because the field is bigger.”

Approximately 80 BRL riders age 9 to 17 participated in the All-Star show, which features the individual leaders from among about 120 participants in the Spring 2010 edition of the same program that produced velodrome executive director and Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein.

“This is always one of my favorite events because it really showcases the talent we have here,” Nothstein said. “Watching these kids race in front of a Friday night crowd really brings back memories for me, but even better, it shows me that we have a lot of great young riders coming through our programs.”

“It’s really fun,” said 10-year-old Brandon Krasley of Emmaus, who will enter fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary School in the fall. “The training is kind of fun and the racing is awesome.”

Full results posted here.

photo courtesy Heidi Swift at http://gritandglimmer.com/

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s own Melissa Garcia won the junior women’s 15-16 road race national title in Bend on Tuesday. Three Valley Preferred Cycling Center racers in the Women Ages 15-16 road race finished with the lead group. Kaitlyn Lawrence finished fourth and Bailey Semian finished sixth. Garcia, Lawrence and Semian are recent graduates of our Red Robin Bicycle Racing League.

Read more at: http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=5068

2010 USA Cycling Juniors, U23, Elite Road National Championships

RESULTS

Junior Women 15-16 Criterium National Championships

1. Tara McCormick (Long Beach, Calif./Helen’s Racing-Cannondale) 31:39.00

2. Kayla Sterling (Allen, Texas/Plano Cycling/PAC) 31:39.10

3. Melissa Garcia (Bethlehem, Pa./Chester County Cycling) 31:39.40

4. Grace Alexander Boise, Idaho/Boise Young Rider Dev. Squad) 31:39.60

5. Kaitlyn Lawrence (Emmaus, Pa./Vortex/Team Vortex) 31:40.00

Time Trial RESULTS

Junior Women 15-16

1. Jacqueline Denny (Liberty, Mo./Team Kenda) 42:23.3

2. Addyson Albershardt    Matthews, NC 42:32.7

3. Zoe Frazier (Suwanee, Ga./Frazier Cycling) 42:36.5

4. Alexis Ryan (Ventura, Calif./The TEAM SoCalCross) 42:50.8

5. Bailey Semian (Mertztown, Pa./Chester County Cycling) 43:29.2

Junior Men 17-18

1. Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) 32:49.2

2. Eamon Franck (Pacific Grove, Calif/Team Specialized Racing) 34:50.9

3. Thomas Jondall    (Tucson, Ariz./White Mountain Road 34:57.6

4. Zack Noonan (Kutztown, Pa./Young Medalists) 35:03.6

5. Ben Gabardi (Madison, Miss./Herring Gas) 35:09.1

Criterium RESULTS

Junior Men 17-18

1. Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) 01:07:25

2. Juan Carmona (Breinigsville, Pa./Young Medalists) 01:7:30.90

3. J Fette (Woodinville, Wahs./Lake Washington Velo) 01:7:30.90

4. Wesley Kline (Emmaus, Pa./Young Medalists) 01:07:31

5. Benjamin Swedberg (Kent, Wash./Rad Racing) 1:7:31.10

Road Race RESULTS

Junior Men 17-18

1. Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Hot Tubes) 2:42:16.30

2. Tanner Putt (Park City, Utah/Cole Sport) 2:42:28.60

3. Daniel Farinha (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Bicycle Club) 2:42:35.80

4. Robin Carpenter (Philadelphia, Pa./Young Medalists) 2:42:36.10

5. Edison Turner (Waxhaw, N.C./Greenville Spinners) 2:42:36.40

U. S. Olympian Bobby Lea Returns to T-town

The Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League All-Stars featuring the second annual Mike Walter Madison Challenge headlines the show this Friday at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC), as the World Series of Bicycling presented by Michelob Ultra rolls onto the track for the second edition of 2010 professional racing.

U.S. Olympian Bobby Lea is scheduled to make his first World Series of Bicycling appearance this year and the American speedster will need his endurance and strength to hold off a hard-charging New Zealand National Team that already made its mark when Kiwi newcomer Chad Adair jumped from the field with three laps to go last week to claim the U.S. 10-Mile Championship.

“The truth is our guys are going to have to work awfully hard to beat a talented and very strong New Zealand team. That team is stacked with several Olympians and World Champions and they have already proven that they are here to race,” said VPCC Executive Director Marty Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic match spring gold medalist. “It’s going to be a hard night for our racers but that means it will be a terrific night of excitement for our fans.”

Adair and teammate, World Champion Hayden Godfrey, also saw some reinforcements arrive this week, including Junior World Champion Cameron Karwowski and teammate Patrick Bevin. New Zealand assistant track coach Dayle Cheatley also has four women’s world championship medalists on hand among 15 Kiwis summering in T-town this year.

Cheatley said New Zealand sent eight team members to VPCC last year and the results included three subsequent World Cup wins by Tom Skelly. Skelly, injured in a race in Ireland earlier this year, will not be back but, encouraged by Skelly’s performance after a season in Trexlertown, Bike NZ has almost doubled the size of this year’s contingent to 15 riders who will be training here all season for the Commonwealth Games.

The Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League All-Stars will also hit the track for their first appearance in front of a Friday night crowd – no doubt inspired by 2009 graduate Melissa Garcia, who took the U.S. Women’s 15-16 Junior Road Race crown Tuesday in Bend, Ore.

“We love being part of the velodrome and we love being involved in an activity that is great for families and allows young people to get involved in a sport like cycling at a young age,” said Red Robin President Jim Mitich said of the restaurant’s 15-year association with the VPCC.

Mitich also praised Garcia’ for her win, calling it an impressive achievement for the young cyclist. Nothstein, himself a product of the Bicycle Racing League, echoed Mitich’s praise and said the Trexlertown community is proud of Garcia’s accomplishment.

 The first week of competition left a jumble at the top of The Morning Call Rider of the Year competition, with Jackie Simes IV, Lanell Rockmore and Adair tied for the lead.

On the women’s side, the action is also tight. Australian Rider of the Year (ROY) Laura McCaughey is in a dead heat with T-town’s own Colleen Hayduk in the ROY competition after the two exchanged a pair of wins last week and finished the omnium in a 24-point tie. Hayduk, who was declared the Omnium winner last week because of her overall higher finishes, leads the ROY standings by 1 point.

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The Kiwis are here. So are the Aussies. The Polish champions are booked. The Argentines are already racing and the Canadians have made their reservations. Maybe we’ll even see an Italian or two. Yep, the world has come to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center – again – and that’s just the way Executive Director Marty Nothstein likes it.

Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic sprint gold medalist who is now in his second year as the executive director at the world-famous concrete crater just an hour north of Philadelphia, said his goal for the 2010 season is to give fans the world-class, Olympic-caliber track racing they have become accustomed to seeing in Trexlertown.

“Last year and this year have been the most excited I’ve seen the riders in several years and that means more fun and excitement for our fans,” said Nothstein. “These guys are going to be laying it on the line every Friday night.”

Among the international heavyweights on track this year are the New Zealand National Team – including the world record-setting women’s pursuit team, junior World Champions Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell and Kilo World Medalist Eddie Dawkins, former Kiwi world champion Hayden Godfrey, returning Riders of the Year Shane Archbold of New Zealand and Laura McCaughey of Australia, popular Polish riders Lucas Kowalski and Kamil Kuczinski and Argentines Leandor “El Diablo” Bottasso and Denis Aleman. Italian Roberto Chiappa is also expected for a limited engagement.

“The international flavor is as strong as ever – but we can’t forget our own local horsepower – Olympian Bobby Lea, Lanelle Rockmore, Shane Kline, Jackie Simes, Colleen Hayduk, Theresa Cliff-Ryan, Kim Geist– are all here along with many other T-town favorites,” Nothstein said. “Also, David Espinosa and Iggy Silva, the national Madison champion who rides for Lance Armstrong’s Trek Livestrong team, are here and racing.”

As a two-time Olympic medalist – including a silver in Atlanta in 1996 – and a three-time World Champion, Nothstein has more than 15 years of professional, international career experience to draw from when booking races and promotions that bring fans to the track.

“The advantage I have is that not only is T-town my hometown track, but I made a living at track cycling all over the world. I know what works,” he said.

The facts bear him out. In his first year the track finished with a budget surplus for the first time in years and in 2010 – and even before the World Series of Bicycling professional race series began – the Valley Preferred Cycling Center has already seen a 25 percent jump in both season ticket sales and registrations for the Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League.

The velodrome has contracted with Rodale Catering and Events to run the Lehigh Valley’s first all-organic concession stand for the 2010 season, Michelob Ultra has signed on as a sponsor and the buzz is building for the summer racing series.

The World Series of Bicycling kicked off on Friday, June 18 with the USA Cycling 10-Mile National Championship won by Kiwi newcomer Chad Adair and includes 10 nights of racing that end with the prestigious Salamander Madison Cup on Aug. 27. The season also includes the USA Cycling Junior National Championships from July 8-11, with more than 150 of the nation’s best riders between ages 10 and 18 headed for T-town – as well as the USA Cycling Tandem National Championships on Aug. 6.

Also new this year is the “Mayfair Music Series presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix,” which will feature live music and Happy Hour specials every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Tuesday night 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series – including the Bear Creek Rising Stars juniors events as well as some of the best rising young racers in the country mixing it up with some of the Friday night pros — kicked off May 18 and the Masters and Rookies Series opened May 15.

“I’m excited,” said Nothstein.

The world has come to T-town. Don’t miss it.

Kiwis Set The Tone for Exciting Season

Trexlertown, Pa – The racing started fast and never let up as the Valley Preferred Cycling Center opened its 35th Anniversary season Friday with a budding duel between a talented New Zealand team and an international field of more than 50 riders.

American Jame Carney of Salamander Racing lit the fuse by setting a blistering pace in the first 5-Lap Scratch Race heat before Lanell Rockmore of the Bahati Foundation team came charging out of the field to win the opener in the 2010 World Series of Bicycling presented by Michelob Ultra.

But the night – and the U.S. 10-Mile Championship – belonged to New Zealand’s Chad Adair of the Papanui Cycling Club/Bike New Zealand, who demonstrated the deep strength of the Kiwi team when he took a flyer with three laps to go and held off a fast-charging field led by Rockmore to grab victory on his first visit to the T-town. Carney finished second and Rockmore was third.

“I really enjoyed this. The racing here is like nothing I’ve ever done before,” said Adair, adding that the initial plan was to set up countryman and former World Champion Hayden Godfrey for the win. “It was all a little bit of a hurt from racing all day but it started to look good with three laps to go and I went for it.”

Valley Preferred Cycling Center Executive Director Marty Nothstein said the dynamic racing signals a great 2010 season.

“What a fantastic finish to the U.S. 10-Mile Championship! To kick things off with the speed and firepower that was out there tonight really sets the tone for the rest of the season,” said Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic match sprint gold medalist and a three-time World champion. “New Zealand threw down the gantlet tonight. Now it’s up to the Americans – particularly our Olympians – to answer the call.”

Rockmore and other Americans made it clear that they are up to the challenge. Jackie Simes IV won the 5-Lap Scratch Race final with a bold move out of the pack with a lap to go and Rockmore edged out Godfrey in the SuperSprint Elimination race.

On the women’s side, American Colleen Hayduk of Verducci Breakaway took the omnium from returning Rider of the Year Laura McCaughey, an Australian racing for Salamander Racing, after splitting wins throughout the night. McCaughey took the 15-Lap Point A Lap and the 5-Mile Final and Hayduk responded each time with a win in the Flying Mile and the Elimination – breaking a 24-point tie with McCaughey for the overall win.

For complete results, click here.

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is the nation’s foremost velodrome and the only one in North America to offer a full season of professional, Olympic-caliber competition through its World Series of Bicycling events every Friday night from June 18 through Aug. 27. In addition, the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series on Tuesday night showcases the rising talent of riders from throughout the United States and other nations and often features the Friday night pros who frequently use the Pro-Am races for training.

The velodrome opened in 1975 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2010. Bob Rodale donated the facility to Lehigh County shortly after its construction and it is operated by the non-profit Velodrome Fund. As a county park, the track and the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park across the street are open to cyclists when not in use for training or racing.

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Cycling Enthusiasts Can Learn Track Cycling From Professionals and Champions

Trexlertown, Pa. – Registration is now open for the same Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC) developmental cycling programs that gave Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein his start in bicycle racing and have introduced more than 22,000 people to the excitement of velodrome racing over the past four decades.

The Air Products Developmental Cycling Program, Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League and Health America PeeWee Pedalers are the most successful developmental track programs in North America and they have produced 140 national championships, seven world championships, seven Olympians and the Olympic gold and silver medals won by Nothstein. But they are not just for racers – any cycling enthusiast who wants to become a better rider or just improve their fitness can participate in these internationally recognized programs.

“These programs have been the backbone of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center for more than 30 years and they offer an unmatched opportunity for both youth and adult riders to try the track, learn about track racing and push themselves as far as they want to go,” said Nothstein, the VPCC executive director who won the gold medal in the 200 games in Sydney, Australia and a silver in Atlanta in 1996. He also won three world championships and a healthy share of the national championship jerseys garnered by Trexlertown riders over the past 35 years. “As a young rider I was lucky to have these programs available in my own back yard.”

In addition to Nothstein, champions who have gone through these programs include Olympian Bobby Lea and national champions Ben Barczewski, Andy Lakatosh, Mike Beers, Jackie Simes IV, and Junior World Champion Sarah Uhl and national champions Ashley Kimmet, Lauren Franges, Kim Geist, Rachel Herring, Jessica Grieco and the late Nicole Reinhart.

The Health America PeeWee Pedalers is open to boys and girls ages 5 t0 8 who are able to ride a bike without training wheels. It introduces these youngsters to the excitement and thrill of riding on a velodrome while teaching elementary cycling skills and basic bicycle safety. The youngsters will be brought through a fun filled course that uses obstacle courses to teach the riders bicycle handling skills and safety as well as track riding basics.

Red Robin’s Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League is offered each Spring and Fall to boys and girls ages 9 to 17 and introduces new riders to the thrill and excitement of bicycle racing. The top riders in the spring program get to demonstrate their skills during the All-Star Championships held in conjunction with a Friday World Series of Bicycling professional racing event.

The Air Products Developmental Cycling Program is open to cycling enthusiasts ages 5 and up. A great introduction to the skills and challenges of velodrome riding and racing, the Air Products program is the primary stepping stone for budding young racers but it also offers a terrific opportunity to experienced cyclists and fitness buffs who may just want to take their fitness and appreciation of the sport to the next level.

Each program concludes with a Friday night of racing during a World Series of Bicycling event. All of the community programs are free to children and bikes, helmets and coaching by champions and world-class riders including Gil Hatton, May-Britt Hartwell, Paul Pearson and Nothstein, among others, are provided. The Air Products program fee is $50 for adults.

In addition, the annual Corporate Challenge offers non-racers a chance to try the track in a Friday night competition against teams from other businesses and organizations from throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The Corporate Challenge is an Italian pursuit race that includes teams comprised of six riders – with a minimum of two women – who race for pride and teamwork on a Friday night.

For more information or to register for any of these programs, go to www.thevelodrome.com and click on the Community Programs icon.

Local, Seasonal Organic Ingredients to Highlight New Menu

Trexlertown, Pa. – Merging the fit and healthy lifestyle promoted by cycling with the tantalizing tastes of nature’s best ingredients, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center is partnering with Rodale Catering and Events to offer cycling fans a completely organic concession stand for the 2010 season.

Fans will still be able to enjoy their race-night favorites such as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries and hot dogs, but they will be prepared from organic ingredients fresh from regional providers. In addition, the new menu will include an organic black bean burger, local pulled pork sliders, organic pizza by the slice, fair trade organic tea and coffee, and specialties like veggie wraps.

“We are a unique sports venue and our fans come here because they want something different. We are not a ballpark or arena. We are the best velodrome in North America,” said VPCC Executive Director Marty Nothstein. “We want their experience to be truly unique and memorable, something that can be enjoyed by everyone. We think bringing in Rodale Catering and Events to operate our Breakaway Cafe concession stand adds to that uniqueness in a way that builds on and enhances the track racing experience.”

Nothstein also announced that Michelob Ultra will be an official sponsor for the 2010 professional racing series and Allentown Beverage will provide the beer and wine for the concession stand.

Rodale Catering and Events will operate the Breakaway Cafe as an independent contractor with exclusive rights to food service at the facility, including catering for all sponsor events during the season. The velodrome also benefits through the costs savings of outsourcing the concession operations, Nothstein said.

The partnership with Rodale is a natural extension of the philosophies of Rodale Inc. and the late Bob Rodale, who founded and built the Valley Preferred Cycling Center 35 years ago.

“We believe that the gold standard of food is organic and local,” said Heidi Rodale, Rodale Inc. Board Member and Vice Chairperson of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “Rodale is thrilled to provide healthy, delicious food to a community that supports an active lifestyle.”

Leah Nichols, Director of Rodale Catering and Events, said the company has always been focused on improving the way Americans eat.

“Our focus is on organic, local seasonal food,” said Leah Nichols, Director of Rodale Catering and Events. “We’ve taken a new approach to concession food, trying to make familiar favorites that are handcrafted yet flavorful. Even our soft pretzels will be made from scratch with flour from wheat grown at our Rodale Institute.”

Fans can get their first taste of the new concessions on Saturday, May 8 when the VPCC hosts its annual Spring Flea Market, featuring dozens of vendors from throughout the East Coast, scores of individuals and groups selling new and used bikes and accessories and more than 3,000 cycling enthusiasts who come to the Flea Market every year for great deals on their seasonal cycling needs.

Nichols said the Breakaway Café will offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate and light breakfast and lunch items from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is the nation’s foremost velodrome and the only one in North America to offer a full season of professional, Olympic-caliber competition through its World Series of Bicycling events every Friday night from June 18 through Aug. 27. In addition, the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series on Tuesday night showcases the rising talent of riders from throughout the United States and other nations and often features the Friday night pros who frequently use the Pro-Am races for training.

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center will also host the 2010 USA Cycling Junior National Track Championships Presented by Rodale from July 8-11, featuring 150 of the best young riders and aspiring Olympians ages 11 to 18 from across the country.

Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the match sprints, grew up in Trexlertown less than a mile from the internationally renowned race track and is a product of the great community programs such as the Air Products Developmental Cycling Program and what is now known as Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League for youths ages 9 to 17.

The velodrome opened in 1975 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2010. Bob Rodale donated the facility to Lehigh County shortly after its construction and it is operated by the non-profit Velodrome Fund. As a county park, the track and the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park across the street are open to cyclists when not in use for training or racing.

By Joe McDermott

Trexlertown, Pa. – One of the keystones to the success of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC) over the past 35 years have been the long-running, top-quality training programs that allow community members to learn about track racing from some of the best racers in the sport.

From the Health America PeeWee Pedalers to the internationally recognized Air Products Developmental Cycling program to the Red Robin Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League for young riders, these programs have produced more national champions and world-class riders than any other program in North America.

The numbers are staggering:

• 22,000 participants over the past three decades;
• 140 national champions;
• Seven world championships;
• Seven Olympians;
• And two Olympic medals – a silver and a gold.

“These programs have been the backbone of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center for the past 30 years and they offer an unmatched opportunity for both youth and adult riders to try the track, learn about track racing and push themselves as far as they want to go,” said velodrome Executive Director Marty Nothstein, holder of those silver and gold Olympic medals, three world championships and a healthy share of the national championship jerseys. “As a young rider I was lucky to have these programs available in my own back yard.”

In addition to Nothstein, champions who have gone through these programs include Olympian Bobby Lea, Ben Barczewski, Andy Lakatosh, Mike Beers, Jackie Simes IV, and Junior World Champion Sarah Uhl, Ashley Kimmet, Lauren Franges, Kim Geist, Rachel Herring, Jessica Grieco and the late Nicole Reinhart.

“These programs open up the world of track cycling to those who would otherwise play another sport because they don’t want to pay for their own bike or equipment if they are just trying it,” said Barczewski, a U.S. national champion and Pan American Games medalist.  “If it was not for these programs I am fairly certain that I would not have had as successful career as I did, and the Lehigh Valley would not have the likes of Marty Nothstein and Jessica Grieco.  Olympic dreams really do start with the Air Products and BRL programs.”

The Health America PeeWee Pedalers is open to boys and girls ages 5 t0 8 who are able to ride a bike without training wheels. It introduces these youngsters to the excitement and thrill of riding on a velodrome while teaching elementary cycling skills and basic bicycle safety. The youngsters will be brought through a fun filled course that uses obstacle courses to teach the riders bicycle handling skills and safety as well as track riding basics.

Red Robin’s Marty Nothstein Bicycle Racing League is offered each Spring and Fall to boys and girls ages 9 to 17 and introduces new riders to the thrill and excitement of bicycle racing. The top riders in the spring program get to demonstrate their skills during the individual championships held in conjunction with a Friday World Series of Bicycling professional racing event.

The Air Products Developmental Cycling Program is open to cycling enthusiasts ages 5 and up. A great introduction to the skills and challenges of velodrome riding and racing, the Air Products program is the primary stepping stone for budding young racers but it also offers a terrific opportunity to experienced cyclists and fitness buffs who may just want to take their fitness and appreciation of the sport to the next level.

Each program concludes with a Friday night of racing during a World Series of Bicycling event. All of the community programs are free to children and bikes, helmets and coaching by champions and world-class riders including Gil Hatton, May-Britt Hartwell, Paul Pearson and Nothstein, among others, are provided. The Air Products program fee is $50 for adults.

In addition, the annual Corporate Challenge offers non-racers a chance to try the track in a Friday night competition against teams from other businesses and organizations from throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The Corporate Challenge is an Italian pursuit race that includes teams comprised of six riders – with a minimum of two women – who race for pride and teamwork on a Friday night.

Amateur racer John O’Neill of Allentown participated in the Air Products program and later enrolled his young daughter in the PeeWee Pedalers.

“I shoved a lot of my former co-workers into the programs,” said O’Neill, who also participated in several Corporate Challenge events for his employers. “These were primarily office workers who, in some cases had never seen the velodrome and they were clipped into track bikes and coached by world class riders for a few weeks before racing in public under the lights on a Friday night. They all quickly grew to love it.”

For more on the VPCC’s Community Programs and Corporate Challenge, go to www.thevelodrome.com and click on Community programs icon.