The Valley Preferred Cycling Center

The season finale of the 2011 World Series of Bicycling had it all – riveting racing, clamoring crowds and magical moments. The fans poured in, eager to escape hurricane-mania and take in another spectacular Friday night at the Velodrome. The XXXV Salamander Madison Cup presented by Univest did not disappoint.

The air was thick with anticipation, with both the impending storm and undecided Rider of the Year honors hovering over the night. The evening’s first race, a 3K scratch, gave an inkling of what lay ahead as local Olympian Bobby Lea tore away from the field and raised his arms in victory to the roaring crowd. Lea came into the night trailing 2009 Rider of the Year, Doug Repacholi (AUS), by 5 points, but it was clear early on that he was in it to win it. Lea and his trusty teammate, Jackie Simes, gave sponsors Pure Energy Cycling/ ProAirHFA a fitting finale. The pair took the 40 lap Madison, the team elimination and, in a stunningly superhuman effort, lapped the field to bring home the 2011 Madison Cup. The local boys gave the overflowing hometown crowd a night to remember. Although 1st place in the Madison Cup was wrapped early, 2nd place was a hard-fought battle, with the West coast pair of Dan Harm and Zack Kovalcik (Broadmark/BicyclingHub.com) narrowly defeating the international duo of David Glowacki and Doug Repacholi. Bobby Lea was crowned 2011 Rider of the Year for his herculean efforts.

The women’s Rider of the Year competition came down to a strategic battle between Emmaus, PA, racers Mary Costelloe and Kim Geist. The 2010 Rider of the Year, Geist put in her best effort, winning the elimination and points race to take home the omnium win, but it wasn’t enough to take the top honor. Costelloe would not relent, sticking to Geist’s wheel with a remarkable display of tactics and true grit. Costelloe’s 2nd place in the points race was precisely what she needed to secure her lead and write her name in T-Town’s record books. She shined the brightest this season and truly earned the 2011 Rider of the Year honor.

Young guns Mandy Marquardt and Andy Lakatosh gave a glimpse of the future of T-Town. The two showed striking improvement throughout the 2011 season, culminating in breakthrough performances for the final Friday. After losing to 2X Olympian Giddeon Massie (Cody Racing) in the sprint, Lakatosh (Energy/ProAirHFA) bested him in the Keirin final to take the sprinter’s omnium. Marquardt, (Team Type 1), won two events of the evening- the point a lap and the flying mile- to take 2nd in the omnium. Her remarkable progression this year will surely make her a marked racer for the 2012 season.

The night’s sponsors enjoyed a front row seat to the action. Univest took in the view from the Velo Deck, while Valley Preferred’s party, almost 300 strong, had prime real estate on the infield. Pat Marzi, of Salamander, a long-time patron of the Madison Cup, mingled with fellow racers on the inside track.

While the pro racers shined for the main event, the program allowed for some magical moments in between. The TEVA Respiratory PeeWee Pedalers delighted fans with their energy and enthusiasm as they took to the track for a lap. Hall of Fame Inductees Brian “Ripsaw” Drebber and Gene “Geronimo” Samuel graciously accepted their nominations and credited the fans for putting T-Town on the map as one of the most celebrated velodromes in the history of track racing. The night’s most tender moment came as brave 5 year old cancer survivor Vanessa Stauffer led other survivors and family members on the Spokes of Hope “Victory Lap” around the velodrome to promote cancer awareness and raise hope for the cause.

T-Town saved the best for last, treating the season’s biggest crowd to an exceptional night filled with celebration, appreciation and optimism. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center would like to thank our sponsors, racers, volunteers, medics, photographer, officials, announcer, DJ, coaches, caterers, media, board members and fans for a sensational 2011 season.

Make sure to visit our official photographer cyclingcaptured.com to get your photos from the 2011 World Series of Bicycling