BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. \u2014 History was made under the lights Friday evening as professional and amateur riders returned to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center for the first Friday Nights Under the Lights event following the 2026 USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships.<\/p>\n
After five days of the nation\u2019s top junior riders competing for national titles at T-Town, the Pro-Am field returned to the track determined to add its own names to the record book during T-Town Showdown & Track Records Night.<\/p>\n
Preston Eye of Georgia and Lucy Reeve of New Zealand led the historic night of racing with dominant performances. Eye won every men\u2019s event he entered except the two-mile, while Reeve earned three victories in the women\u2019s program.<\/p>\n
The evening also featured the first editions of three races at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center: the men\u2019s five-mile, men\u2019s two-mile and women\u2019s two-mile. Riders then competed in T-Town\u2019s first-ever co-ed Madison, bringing men and women together in one of track cycling\u2019s most technical and fast-paced events.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing an incredible week of Junior Track Nationals, it was exciting to welcome our Pro-Am riders back to the track and see them make history of their own,\u201d said Gary Thornton, Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. \u201cFrom Preston and Lucy\u2019s exceptional performances to the new record events and our first co-ed Madison, the night reflected the competition, innovation and community that make racing at T-Town so special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eye delivered one of the strongest all-around performances of the 2026 season, claiming victories in every men\u2019s race he entered except the two-mile. The Georgia rider consistently positioned himself at the front of the field throughout the night, demonstrating his strength across multiple distances and race formats.<\/p>\n
Reeve was equally commanding in the women\u2019s field. The New Zealand rider won three races on the program, adding a new track record to an already impressive season at T-Town.<\/p>\n
Reeve\u2019s performance also moved her into a narrow lead over Jillian Halm in the women\u2019s Rider of the Year standings with one scoring week remaining.<\/p>\n
In the first-ever men\u2019s five-mile race at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Preston Eye established the track record with a time of 10:14.<\/p>\n
The inaugural men\u2019s two-mile record was set by Dakota Stein, who completed the race in 3:57. It was Stein\u2019s second record of the season after he set a new one-mile record earlier in the year.<\/p>\n
On the women\u2019s side, Lucy Reeve claimed the first women\u2019s two-mile record with a time of 4:37.<\/p>\n
The evening\u2019s historic racing continued with the first co-ed Madison held at T-Town. Preston Eye and Jessica Chong captured the landmark victory after winning nearly all eight point sprints.<\/p>\n
The action extended beyond the professional racing as young riders from Community Bike Works in Allentown took to the track for a series of wheelie races.<\/p>\n
The crowd cheered as participants tested their balance and bike-handling skills, attempting to keep their front wheels off the ground for as long as possible. The races added a playful new element to the evening while showcasing the confidence and enthusiasm of the Lehigh Valley\u2019s next generation of cyclists.<\/p>\n
Community Bike Works also collected donated bicycles during the event to support its youth mentoring programs throughout the region.<\/p>\n
The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation was on-site to share information about its work to make the Lehigh Valley safer and more accessible for people who bike, walk and use public transportation.<\/p>\n
With just one scoring week remaining, Dakota Stein extended his lead in the men\u2019s Rider of the Year standings. Stein has been a consistent presence at the front of the field throughout the 2026 season and will look to secure the title during the final scoring night.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s competition remains much closer. Reeve\u2019s performance moved her just four points ahead of Halm, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the season-long competition.<\/p>\n
Friday Nights Under the Lights continues Friday, August 7, with Tandemonium & Corporate Challenge and the Rider of the Year finale, followed by the Madison Cup Finale and Hall of Fame Induction on Friday, August 14.<\/p>\n
For complete results, Rider of the Year standings and upcoming event information, visit TheVelodrome.com.<\/p>\n
Preston Eye and Lucy Reeve Deliver Dominant Performances as Riders Establish Three First-Ever T-Town Records BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. \u2014 History was made under the lights Friday evening as professional and amateur riders returned to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center for the first Friday Nights Under the Lights event following the 2026 USA Cycling Junior Track National … Continue reading Night of Firsts at T-Town Showdown at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center<\/span>