Under the bright sun and windy conditions of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Speedway), Cycling kicked off its 2026 season with a statement of intent and dominance. The team faced Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter) and Proctor Academy (Proctor), taking on the challenging oval track.
David Porto ’26 described New Hampshire’s windy conditions as a series of tactical and technical challenges. However, the team powered through with its high energy.
“It was fairly sunny, but there was plenty of wind, especially during some of the turns. It’s an oval that we’re going on, and one of the sides of the oval was significantly more windy than the others. But I think the team kept strong energy and was ready to face those winds. Everybody was pretty hyped after, during, and before, and that energy showed in our races,” said Porto.
For many members of Cycling, this trip to Speedway marked the beginning of their competitive cycling careers. Arden Quan ’29 described the supportive culture that helped newcomers navigate the pressure.
“My teammates were all cheering each other on. I think my time trial went pretty well, especially since it was my first time. We really wanted to emphasize that if you come to the race, you should come with the mindset that you’re going to improve, and that energy carried us through,” said Quan.
Porto noted that the results from this race will serve as a benchmark for improvement as the season progresses.
“The team did well for the first race. Our top three boys placed 7th, 8th, and 11th in the first division. I don’t really know how well that compares to previous years, but it felt like a very strong start for us,” said Quan.
For Quan, Speedway provided clear insight into where the team stands and what it needs to work on ahead of its upcoming races.
“I was really happy with how the team showed up for the first race, especially since I felt that my own fitness was in a good spot to start the season. This was just the first race out of four, so we hope to carry this momentum forward. We’re going to keep working and try to keep doing a good job as the season continues,” said Porto.
Cycling will return to the Speedway next Wednesday to compete in the Circuit Race.
