Night of Firsts at T-Town Showdown at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center
Preston Eye and Lucy Reeve Deliver Dominant Performances as Riders Establish Three First-Ever T-Town Records
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.
After five days of the nation’s 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.
Preston Eye of Georgia and Lucy Reeve of New Zealand led the historic night of racing with dominant performances. Eye won every men’s event he entered except the two-mile, while Reeve earned three victories in the women’s program.
The evening also featured the first editions of three races at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center: the men’s five-mile, men’s two-mile and women’s two-mile. Riders then competed in T-Town’s first-ever co-ed Madison, bringing men and women together in one of track cycling’s most technical and fast-paced events.
“Following 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,” said Gary Thornton, Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. “From Preston and Lucy’s 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.”
Eye and Reeve Dominate the Competition
Eye delivered one of the strongest all-around performances of the 2026 season, claiming victories in every men’s 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.
Reeve was equally commanding in the women’s field. The New Zealand rider won three races on the program, adding a new track record to an already impressive season at T-Town.
Reeve’s performance also moved her into a narrow lead over Jillian Halm in the women’s Rider of the Year standings with one scoring week remaining.
New Names Enter the T-Town Record Book
In the first-ever men’s five-mile race at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Preston Eye established the track record with a time of 10:14.
The inaugural men’s two-mile record was set by Dakota Stein, who completed the race in 3:57. It was Stein’s second record of the season after he set a new one-mile record earlier in the year.
On the women’s side, Lucy Reeve claimed the first women’s two-mile record with a time of 4:37.
The evening’s 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.
Community Organizations Join the Celebration
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.
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’s next generation of cyclists.
Community Bike Works also collected donated bicycles during the event to support its youth mentoring programs throughout the region.
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.
Rider of the Year Battles Tighten
With just one scoring week remaining, Dakota Stein extended his lead in the men’s 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.
The women’s competition remains much closer. Reeve’s performance moved her just four points ahead of Halm, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the season-long competition.
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.
For complete results, Rider of the Year standings and upcoming event information, click here.