Breinigsville, Pa. — The 2026 racing season opened in thrilling fashion at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center as elite riders from across the United States and around the world delivered a night of fast-paced track racing before an enthusiastic crowd.

The evening also marked a significant milestone for the iconic velodrome, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the facility. As part of the opening ceremonies, Andrew Norelli Rodale rode a commemorative lap in honor of the late Bob Rodale, whose vision and support helped establish the venue as one of the premier track cycling facilities in the United States. The tribute recognized the lasting impact of the Rodale family on cycling in the Lehigh Valley and the generations of athletes who have competed at the track over the past five decades.

In the women’s 5-kilometer Scratch Race, Valentina Mendez of Argentina claimed the opening victory of the season, edging Colleen Gulick (Team Skyline) and Lucy Reeve (Canterbury Track Cycling) in a race averaging more than 42 km/h.

The men’s Points Race featured aggressive racing throughout 35 laps, with George Nemilostivijs (Team BSR) taking the win on 16 points. Lance Abshire (Chaney Windows and Doors) finished second with 15 points, while James Ambrose-Parish (OneLifeCycle) rounded out the podium.

Mckenzie Milne (CCACHE) captured the women’s Elimination Race title after surviving a hard-fought contest, followed by Gulick and Jenna Nestman (Tesseract Racing).

The men’s Flying Mile produced one of the fastest performances of the evening, as Ambrose-Parish powered to victory at an average speed of 54 km/h. Enzo Edmonds (Star Track) earned silver, while local rider Otis Engel (Star Track UCI) claimed bronze.

In the women’s Becky Quinn 20-kilometer Points Race, Star Track’s Dannielle Watkinson dominated the field with 40 points to secure gold. Reeve finished second with 38 points, and teammate Mia Deye gave Star Track another podium result with bronze.

The night concluded with the men’s Mike Walter Madison, where the Star Track UCI duo of Enzo Edmonds and Otis Engel put on a commanding performance, winning with 47 points. The teams of Daniel Breuer and Lance Abshire (Chaney Windows and Doors) and James Ambrose-Parish and George Nemilostivijs (Team BSR) completed the podium.

Opening night showcased both the rich history and bright future of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, setting the stage for another exciting season of world-class track cycling in the Lehigh Valley as the venue celebrates its 50th anniversary.

About the Valley Preferred Cycling Center
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania—known globally as T-Town—is one of the premier velodromes in the world. Since opening in 1975, the facility has hosted Olympic athletes, world championships, and community cycling programs serving thousands of riders annually. In 2026, VPCC celebrates its 50th Anniversary season, honoring its legacy while continuing to expand access to cycling through world-class racing and community programs.

Information provided to TVL by:
Jake Burns