Dakota Stein Captures Golden Wheel Victory, Takes Over Rider of the Year Lead as Cynthia Sitler Returns to Friday Night Glory After 19 Years

TREXLERTOWN, Pa. (June 26, 2026) — Friday night's Golden Wheel Racing Series at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center delivered two memorable storylines as Dakota Stein (Edge Cycling) claimed the prestigious men's Golden Wheel Race and vaulted into the overall Rider of the Year lead, while Cynthia "Cindy" Sitler completed an emotional comeback by winning her first Friday Night Under the Lights feature race in 19 years.

Stein, racing for Edge Cycling and hailing from nearby Breinigsville, powered to victory in the evening's signature six-lap Golden Wheel Race, defeating teammate Kai Afan and Eric Yonda (Inerro Racing NYC) in a blistering sprint that averaged 55.7 km/h. The victory capped another consistent evening for Stein and moved him to the top of the coveted Rider of the Year standings with seven Friday Night races remaining.

The hometown favorite was challenged throughout the evening by New Zealand standout Magnus Jamieson, who claimed victories in both the Men's Scratch Race and Men's Elimination Race before finishing second in the Men's Point-a-Lap race. Stein answered with the biggest prize of the night, delivering a thrilling Golden Wheel victory for the home crowd.

Perhaps the evening's most inspiring moment belonged to Fogelsville's Cynthia Sitler.

Making her return to Friday Night Under the Lights competition after a 19-year absence, Sitler showed she hadn't lost her finishing speed, sprinting to victory in the Women's Golden Wheel Race ahead of Jillian Halm and Mackenzie Wells.

The win marked Sitler's first Friday Night feature victory since returning to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center and served as a remarkable reminder that experience and determination never go out of style.

"This was a special night for everyone who has followed T-Town racing over the years," said Gary Thornton, Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. "Dakota continues to reestablish himself as one of the premier riders in our Friday Night series, while Cindy's return and victory is the kind of story that makes this place so special. It was a fantastic night of racing from start to finish."

Mia Deye (Star Track) was the dominant rider in the women's endurance events, winning the Women's Point-a-Lap Race, Women's Scratch Race and Women's Elimination Race. Deye controlled the Point-a-Lap by winning 13 of the 20 sprint laps before completing the evening with three victories.

Jamieson opened the men's program by winning the 30-lap Scratch Race over Stein and Kai Afan before adding the Men's Elimination Race title later in the evening. Eric Yonda captured the Men's Point-a-Lap Race after winning seven sprint laps, edging Jamieson and Carsten Baker.

Friday Night Under the Lights – Golden Wheel Results

Women's Point-a-Lap Race

  1. Mia Deye (Star Track)

  2. Jessica Chong

  3. Mackenzie Wells (EROSports p/b Alliance Environmental)

Men's Scratch Race

  1. Magnus Jamieson (Cycling Southland/Bike Works)

  2. Dakota Stein (Edge Cycling)

  3. Kai Afan (Edge Cycling)

Women's Scratch Race

  1. Mia Deye (Star Track)

  2. Jessica Chong

  3. Jillian Halm (Bike Works p/b Fred Beans)

Men's Point-a-Lap Race

  1. Eric Yonda (Inerro Racing NYC)

  2. Magnus Jamieson (Cycling Southland/Bike Works)

  3. Carsten Baker (Velo Track Cycling p/b FATC)

Women's Elimination Race

  1. Mia Deye (Star Track)

  2. Jillian Halm (Bike Works p/b Fred Beans)

  3. Cynthia Sitler (ERO Track Team p/b Alliance Environmental)

Men's Elimination Race

  1. Magnus Jamieson (Cycling Southland/Bike Works)

  2. Troy Sanders (Bike Works p/b Fred Beans)

  3. Kelley Oelkers (Team Alliance Environmental p/b Meridian)

Women's Golden Wheel Race

  1. Cynthia Sitler (ERO Track Team p/b Alliance Environmental)

  2. Jillian Halm (Bike Works p/b Fred Beans)

  3. Mackenzie Wells (EROSports p/b Alliance Environmental)

Men's Golden Wheel Race

  1. Dakota Stein (Edge Cycling)

  2. Kai Afan (Edge Cycling)

  3. Eric Yonda (Inerro Racing NYC)

Friday Night Under the Lights returns next Friday, July 3, with the American Classic, featuring an America250 Celebration complete with family activities, live music, bounce houses, international racing, and one of the region's premier Independence Day fireworks displays following the racing program. Gates open at 6 p.m., with racing beginning at 7 p.m.

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