TREXLERTOWN, Pa. – Fans loved the Fireworks Extravaganza that ended the 2015 World Series of Bicycling season at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. It was beloved so much that VPCC is kicking off the 2016 season with another display.
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center opens up its 2016 World Series of Bicycling season and the “Road to Rio,” the site of this year’s Olympic Games this Friday night with the UCI U.S. Sprint Gran Prix, which is headlined by another post-race Fireworks Extravaganza. The show is by Celebration Fireworks Inc., and is presented by the Schmoyer Funeral Home, the Trexler Funeral Home, and the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home.
With the show set for after racing, there is plenty of fun happening before the attention turns to the track. In the plaza, Geakers Tacos will be serving tacos, funnel cake, and deep fried macaroni and cheese bites to complement the A-Treat Breakaway Café.
On the track, UCI points are up for grabs which has attracted over 10 different countries to T-town, including two Olympic medalists, and multiple riders who will be competing in this year’s Olympic Games.
“This is going to be a great way to start our season and an Olympic year,” VPCC Executive Director Marty Nothstein said. “We have gotten a lot of great riders from around the world here hoping to earn UCI points and I know they will put on a great show.”
United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Suriname, Great Britain, South Africa, Argentina, and Jamaica are among the nations which will have representatives competing on Friday night.
The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a morning session of time trials for the sprints, the feature event. Both the men and women’s fields will be whittled down during the day for the final rides, which will take place under the bright lights on Friday night.
New Zealand’s Matt Archibald won last year’s men’s sprint tournament while Elis Ligtlee of the Netherlands was victorious in the women’s competition.
“Opening night always has a special feel,” Nothstein said. “I think this year’s is going to be one of the best we’ve ever had. With the great racing we have and the fireworks afterwards I think Friday is going to be a great event.”
Gates open at 6 p.m. as VPCC has multiple vendors in the plaza including the VeloShop, A-Treat, the Trexlertown Farmers Market, and the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation. Additionally, VPCC’s Beer and Wine stand will feature Happy Hour specials from 6 until 7 p.m. leading up to racing, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are as low as $5 at the gate on Friday, but general admission tickets are 50% off when purchased by Friday at 6 p.m. on thevelodrome.com. Additionally, every purchase of finish line seat on Friday grants that fan a Valley Preferred Cycling Center seat cushion, while supplies last. Also, VPCC’s newly-furnished VeloDeck located on turn four is open to the public. An upgraded $12 ticket gets a fan “the best seat in the house,” according to Nothstein, as well as free beer at VPCC’s Beer and Wine stand.
“I am so excited for opening night,” VPCC Events and Communications Manager, Juliann Masenheimer said. “We have a lot of great things planned and great ticket options for our fans. We want people here and I know they will enjoy themselves.”
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Tyler Trumbauer
PR/Communications Assistant
Valley Preferred Cycling Center
