Just days after winning gold medals in all seven events they entered at the 2026 Junior Track National Championships, 18-year-old Rue Tomko of Bellevue, Washington, was chosen by USA Cycling to represent the US at the 2026 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Belgium later this month. Rue will compete in the Women’s Points Race and Elimination Race, and in the Madison with their Team USA teammate, Emma Jimenez Palos, at the Sport Vlaanderen Heusden-Zolder Velodrome on August 19-23.
“Besides being screaming fast, Rue encapsulates what track cycling is all about,” said Amara Edwards, Program Director at the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome (JBMV) in Redmond, Washington. “Rue is one of the many juniors who consider the track their second home—whether training, racing, working or volunteering. Rue has worked for the velodrome as an announcer and camp instructor, and they have volunteered as a bell ringer, class instructor and just about anything else we’ve asked them to do.”
If you’ve had the opportunity to race or spectate at JBMV, you know the track community is one giant family, and the junior racers are especially tight-knit. Rue started racing track eight years ago, the same year the Jerry Baker Juniors team was created. Junior track cyclists benefit from the enthusiastic support the greater track community provides, including bikes and equipment, words of encouragement and financial aid.
As soon as Rue qualified for Team USA, the Jerry Baker Development Fund jumped in to financially support them on their journey to the world championships. Through the new Fund the Future campaign, the Marymoor Velodrome Association is asking for your help in rebuilding the Jerry Baker Development Fund and supporting tomorrow’s track stars today.
“If you’ve ever been inspired by Rue’s talent and kindness—or perhaps you were there to witness firsthand their speed and athleticism on display at junior national championship events—we hope you’ll be motivated to give generously to the fund,” said Amara.
In addition to funding a range of athlete development programs at JBMV, tax-deductible contributions to the Jerry Baker Development Fund help offset costs including travel, visas, accommodations and competition fees for participation in national and international events.
Please join us in celebrating Rue’s seven 2026 Junior Track National Championships and their tremendous acclaim of representing Team USA at the Junior Track World Championships!
