By Tiffany Willits
The Thursday Night Lights Race at USA CUP provided the usual thrills and fun fan contests. The races still had the regular raffle consisting of the Cold Stone Warm Up, Chili’s Hot Race, Bricks Breakaway and Buca Blaster. Fans entered the raffle on the four sponsored races and whoever chose the correct winner of the sponsored race, got a ten dollar gift card to the restaurant. The four sponsored races are always the same for Thursday Night Lights.
However, the one exception was the addition of a PUMA bike giveaway. “We gave away two bikes for the PUMA race winners along with two bikes to two lucky fans,” said Stephonie Wentz, USA CUP activities director.
“PUMA is somewhat new to the bike world and this is our second year doing the bike giveaway at USA CUP. We partnered with Biomega to give away PUMA’s fairly new line of bikes to some lucky winners,” said Evan Olesh, PUMA Associate Sports Marketing Manager. “Last year went well and this year there may have even been more fans.”
As fans entered the stands they could get their pick of PUMA wristbands, headbands, water bottles and fans.
While there was a fair share of regular fans, there were just as many first timers. “I grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin and we had a Velodrome there. It’s part of my childhood history,” said Sue Morton. “This is my first time to the Velodrome at the National Sports Center. I now live in New Brighton with my husband so we decided to come out after seeing the sign as we drove by on Highway 65.”
Even a giant group of 60 people came out from Lord of the Lakes Church as part of a servant event. “We have a group of people from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Illinois and Nebraska out on a youth event. I found out about the races on the web,” said Pastor Craig Bertram. “Our group works on low income, elderly and disadvantage people who want to stay in their homes as part of a construction crew.”
Mike Rose, NSC business technology support specialist made his first time appearance despite working as a full time staff member. “I liked the races. I liked all the different strategies because some would go up high and some would stay in the back. I currently do mountain biking, but the Velodrome racing would be cool to try.”
The spectator winners of the PUMA bikes were Chloe Westland from Cottage Grove and Emily Henderson from Coon Rapids as they won the PUMA Pico bikes. The racer winners were Chris Ferris from Wayzata, winning the PUMA Nevis bike for his track stand and Matt Mantasano from Minneapolis winning the PUMA Funk bike.
For more information about Thursday Night Lights racing, visit www.nscsports.org and click on “Facilities” and then “Velodrome.”
Above: Matt Montesano was bike winner number one. Here he takes his victory lap on his new PUMA Funk bike.
Photo Credit: Mike Rose
Above: The racers line up at the start line and observe the large lively crowd in the stands for PUMA Bike Night.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Willits
Above: The big bin of PUMA goods consisted of sweatbands, headbands, water bottles and soccer fans. For the fans that came out to the Velodrome, they could choose their prize.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Willits
Above: The PUMA PIco bikes were won by spectators Chloe Westland and Emily Henderson.
Photo Credit: Angie Bertrand
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