Individual Pursuit
The individual pursuit is a track cycling event where two cyclists begin their race from a stationary position on opposite sides of the track, held by a gate. If one cyclist manages to catch the other, the successful pursuer is declared the winner, otherwise, the fastest over a certain distance is the victor. Top
Keirin
Originating in Japan, the Keirin is a track cycling event for between 6 and 9 sprinters. Sprinters are given a starting position, and start behind a pacer, which could be a motorbike, a derny (motorized bike) or a tandem. The pacer starts off slowly, and then builds up speed, until leaving the track until there is about 2 and a half laps to go, and then the riders sprint to the finish line - the first across the line wins. Top
Madison Race
Named after Madison Square Gardens in New York. It typically lasts between 160 and 200 laps, and is a relay type of event. Two riders form a team, but only one races at any one time. The riders tag when they wish to switch, so the one who had been racing can rest, whilst the one who had been resting races. The aim of the Madison is to gain a lap on the field, but there are sprints for points every 20 laps for the first 4 across the line. At the end of the race, the winner is the team who have gained the most laps, and scored the most points (If more than 1 team has the same amount of laps). So therfore, it is possible to win the race having scored 0 points, and lose the race having scored the most points. Top
Omnium
This is a multiple race event consisting of the following:
A 200m flying start time trial
A 5km scratch race
A 3km individual pursuit
A 15km points race
A 1km time trial (In the style of a pursuit).
Points are awarded for each event. The winner gets the least points, and last place gets the most. The winner of the omnium is the rider with the least points after all events are raced Top
Points race
This is a mass race, where points are awarded to the first 4 finishers in sprints: 5 for 1st, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th. A points race can vary in length, but on a 250m track, it is normal for there to be a sprint every ten laps. A rider can also gain 20 points if he gains a lap on everyone else and similarily, lose 20 points if they lose a lap. The winner is the rider with the most points at the end of the race. Top
Scratch Race
A simple race where the riders start together, and the first past the finishing line wins. During the race, there will be many attacks where riders are looking to gain a lap as if they are the only rider to get a lap, they win the race, no matter which position they crosh the line. Top
Sprint
Two opponents start together, and the winner is the first across the line. This event is highly tactical to begin with, with riders pedalling slowly looking to catch out their opponent before go flat out on the final lap (or even sooner). At major championships, a best of three format is used, where the riders race 3 races, with the winner of 2 of them made the winner.
In major championships, there can be multiple rounds to the sprint and riders will ride a 200m flying lap to sort out the draw for the rest of the event. Top
Team Pursuit
Similar to the individual pursuit, except teams of up to 4 race against each other on each side of the track. The objective is to catch and overtake the other team (which results in automatic victory), although it is normally decided on the fastest time over a certain distance Top
Team Sprint
This is not like a sprint. It is in fact a three man time trial. Two teams race against each other, starting on opposite sides of the track. At the end of the first lap, the leading rider in each team pulls up the banking leaving the second rider to lead for the next lap; at the end of the second lap, the second rider does the same, leaving the third rider to complete the last lap on his own. The team with the fastest time is the winner. Top
Time Trial
Exactly like a time trial on the road, a track time trial consists of a rider racing against the clock over a distance (generally 1000m for men, and 500m for women). As it is 1000m for men, it is alternatively named the 'Kilo'. Top
Velodrome
This is the arena for track cycling. It consists of 2 straights connected by two banked turns at the end, giving the shape of an athletics track. The corners are curved due to the speeds reached by cyclists. The length of one lap varies, but the most common length is 250m.
A blue band (known as the côte d'azur) covers the inside of the track, and although it is not illegal to ride there, most events will have disqualification for its use, depending on circumstances. The red line, part way up the track, indicates the sprinters lane. A rider cannot enter or come out of the lane during a sprint, unless they are a bike-length ahead (or behind).
