The Valley Preferred Cycling Center

The World Series of Bicycling has showcased the endurance riders in events such as the Mike Walter 100 Lap Madison and the US 10 Mile Championship, and the sprinters have had their chance to shine at the US Sprint Grand Prix and Keirin Cup. This Friday will be showcasing the best all around rider in the Fastest Man (and Woman) on Wheels presented by Deer Park.

“This event is going to show who is truly the fastest man and woman,” executive director Marty Nothstein explained. The evening’s racing will include a typical array of mass start races where the riders will accumulate points towards an overall omnium but the title will go to the rider who wins the evenings final motor paced scratch race. This event will be up for grabs, as the race may play out to be a long-winded sprint or a short spurt to the line.

On the men’s side, spectators will want to keep an eye on recent Keirin Cup winner Matt Baranoski, who has been known to outlast many sprinters in the endurance events as well as Dutch rider Patrick Kos who has shown great versatility so far this season.

The men will also be competing in an invitational sprint tournament. Andy Lakatosh and Giddeon Massie will both be in town to give Dutch sprinters Nils Hoenderdaal and Hylke Greakan a run for their money.

On the women’s side, Dana Feiss is a rider to watch. She’ll be out for redemption after a third place finish in the Keirin Cup and is ready to fight her way through to the finale that will be very similar keirin, her favorite event. Another rider to watch is New Zealand’s Elizabeth Steel. Steel came in a close second at Keirin Cup, showing her sprint ability, however, she is also a Junior World Medalist in the Team Pursuit. She may have just the combination of speed and endurance to be the Fastest Woman on Wheels.

Racing starts at 7:30, gates open at 5:30. Tickets as low as $5 and children 12 and under free. Come out early for Happy Hour taking place between 6-7 with $2 domestic bottles.

Article by Elspeth Huyett

Photo by Anthony Skorochod of Cycling Captured