With the hope of reviving cycle track racing as a domestic
spectator sport, John Vande Velde, an Olympic track racer, and
P.T. Ferro Construction Company, based in Joliet, IL, have built
the first short cycling track "of its kind in the U.S. and the
only portable track in the world." Steve Penny of the U.S.
Cycling Federation: "Cycling's at an all-time high right now.
And there has been a lot of talk about building a portable
velodrome the past few years. The time is right because of A,
our recent success in the world championships and B, with the
Olympics coming, we'll be able to showcase what we have. People
are more used to an indoor venue for sporting events." The new
track was designed specifically for indoor use and features a 52-
degree slope. Bicycle historian Jim Hurd: "I think bicycle
racing in America will take off in the next couple of years. I
think it will increase in popularity as mountain biking continues
to be so popular; there will be some crossover." Van Velde has
scheduled a team racing event for the Rosemont Horizon on April
29, 1995 (Julie Hanna, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/21).
