About
M I S S I O N
Star Track is a free, urban youth outreach program created to teach New York City area kids the fundamentals of track cycling at Kissena Velodrome in Queens. Founded in 2004, Star Track has helped thousands of children — many from under-resourced areas of the city — discover the joys and benefits of bicycle racing and has been repeatedly designated a USA Cycling Center of Excellence. The Star Track program provides the opportunity to join a competitive cycling team with elite riders from across the country, and Star Track racers have earned more than 50 National Championship jerseys. Star Track is funded entirely by sponsors and private contributions, and thanks to this generous support, the program is fee-free for New York City children aged 8-16.
Deirdre Murphy Bader (Star Track Founder)
Deirdre Murphy Bader 1959-2014 founded the Star Track Youth program in 2004 with the goal of teaching children the discipline of track cycling at Kissena Velodrome.
Deirdre became a cycling world champion in 1997, winning the Masters World Championships in the road race, and went on to participate in the Olympic games in Sydney Australia in 2000, competing in the women's road race. Deirdre Murphy Bader's legacy continues with Star Track.
Stephanie Torres (Multiple US National Champ)
Stephanie Torres is a former Star Track program rider who recently graduated from Marian University where she earned a cycling scholarship, won several gold medals at Collegiate Nationals, and helped lead the cycling team to its eighth consecutive Division I championship.
Since then Stephanie has returned to coach the next generation of Star Track cyclists.
Joshua Hartmann (US Elite National Champ)
Josh Hartman is a Star Track graduate who made history as the first rider to come through the new Star Track race team. Alongside teammate Joe Christiansen, a two-time U.S. Elite gold medalist in the team sprint, Josh helped represent the next generation of elite American track cycling.
Since graduating, Josh has competed at the highest levels of the sport, including Nations Cups, World Championships, and Pan American Championships, gaining valuable international experience against the world’s best riders.
Josh now lives in Los Angeles, California, where he trains alongside the U.S. National Track Team at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, CA, continuing his development within the national program.
