Nelson Saldana - Inducted 2006

From Kew Gardens, New York, Nelson “The Rabbit” Saldana was the national intermediate champion in 1969 and national junior champion in 1972. In 1974 he was a member of the U.S. worlds team. In 1975, he was fourth in the kilometer at nationals and a member of the Pan Am gold-medal winning pursuit team. In 1976, Saldana was second in the nationals 10-mile race and in 1977 champion in the first nationals points race. That year he also became part of the Trexlertown Express “home team,” along with Jerry Ash, Leigh Barczewski, Gibby Hatton and Bob Vehe, and coached in the developmental program. He was called the flashiest competitor, noted for breakaway speeds in the sprints and excellent bike handling, and had the biggest fan following. He was ranked second behind Ash in the standings in the 1977 Alf Goullet Trophy, equivalent to rider of the year. He went on to become a New York state trooper and has been recognized for his underwater investigative work as part of the scuba diving unit.