Track cycling from “A” to “Z”

Track cycling is a cycling discipline in which cyclists compete to cover distances at speed on bicycle tracks. Track cycling is a major part of cycling and contains many Olympic-style disciplines.

Rules

All track disciplines, as the name already suggests, involve a cycle track. Cycling tracks can be constructed indoors (with a wooden track) and outdoors (concrete). The length of the cycle track varies from 200 meters to 333 meters.

The race begins by firing the starting gun, by the judge’s whistle, by the bell, or by various electronic sound devices. The competitor’s finish is scored when the tube of the front wheel of his bicycle makes contact with a vertical plane drawn across the front edge of the finish line. It is 4 cm wide and is drawn on a white line. The racer has the right to cross the finish line on foot, but with a bicycle.

Judging

To regulate cycling competitions, the UCI or a National Federation appoints a commissioner who, individually or as part of a panel of officials (panel of commissioners), monitors compliance with the rules. The judges are obliged to record and fine any violations of the rules. The number of judges is determined depending on the discipline of cycling races. Among others, the judges may include timekeepers, secretaries, as well as the judge at the finish, who, if desired, may have an assistant.

The athlete leading the overall cycling competition is awarded a distinctive cycling jersey. The cycling jerseys of the competitors must be significantly different from those of the World Champions, UCI Cup Champions, classification leaders and national champions in order to avoid confusion.

If a rider owns more than one jersey, the priority of the jersey is as follows:

• leader’s jersey in multi-day races;
• leader’s jersey in series, cup or UCI classification;
• World Champion jersey;
• Continental Champion jersey;
• National Champion jersey;
• National Team jersey.

Disciplines

Track disciplines are divided into two types: sprint and pace racing. Usually cyclists give their preference to one of the abovementioned categories and do not compete in both of them.

The distance of sprint track races is usually 8-10 laps long. Sprinters do not train aimlessly, they do  specific exercise to compete in short-distance races. What kinds of sprint races can be distinguished?

• The sprint is a race that consists of 2-3 laps. It is held in several stages with up to four cyclists in each. The winners of each particular round go to the finals.
• The team sprint is a short race as well, but with the participation of teams consisting of three athletes. After the start, the first cyclist helps the team to develop speed, dropping out at the end of the lap. Then the second cyclist leaves the track, and the task of the third participant is not to lose the gained speed, because the time of the team depends on his or her finish.
• The GIT is an individual time trial for 1 km, 500 m and 200 m. The start is from the spot and on the move.
• Keirin is the race for the bike, which, however, can not be overtaken. Cyclists must cover the distance equal to two and a half laps. The winner, of course, is the first one to reach the finish line.

Tempo races are held on much longer distances. They primarily test riders’ endurance abilities but also demand technical skills, especially in such races as Madison, Points Race and Scratch. The distances of these races range from 12 to 16 laps for pursuit races and up to 120 laps for Madison at World Championships.

• The points race is a mass race with simultaneous starts and intermediate lap finishes.
• The race on elimination is a competition, in which the competitor who crosses the line of the next intermediate finish line last is eliminated from the race.
• Individual Pursuit is a race with two people starting simultaneously from opposite sides of the track.
• The team pursuit is similar to the individual pursuit with the difference that four-man teams start on opposite sides of the track. The race is heavy and requires teamwork to achieve a result.
• Madison is a paired race, in which competitors take turns to replace each other until the intermediate finish. That is, the competition between racers begins only before the intermediate finish every 20 laps.
• Scratch is a group race with no more than 24 people starting at the same time.
• Omnium includes four disciplines in which athletes compete on the same day. The omnium consists of scratch, tempo, elimination, and points races.

Equipment

Bicycles must be designed in accordance with the spirit and purpose of cycling as a sport discipline. The bicycle must have wheels of the same diameter (from 55 cm to 70 cm) and must be of a type that is widely available and suitable for use by all persons involved in cycling.

The frame of the bicycle must have a traditional shape, namely a triangular closed design. The frame shall be made of straight tubular elements, which may have different cross-sections (round, oval, rectangular, etc.). The weight of the bicycle must be at least 6.8 kg.

Any attachments built into the design of the bicycle to reduce wind resistance or to promote forward motion, such as a protective screen, fuselage, installation of streamlining parts, etc., are prohibited.

The uniform is based on a cycling jersey with sleeves and shorts, or overalls. The cycling helmet must be approved and comply with official safety standards. Items of clothing that reduce air resistance are prohibited.

The use of additional or integrated electronic systems that are not approved as technical innovations is prohibited as well.

History

Track cycling is a discipline that appeared in 1870. At that time, it was a commercial sport and attracted huge crowds of spectators.

The most notable changes during its history were concerned with equipment, i.e. bicycles. As time passed, they were designed to become lighter and more aerodynamic.

With the exception of the 1912 Olympics, track cycling has been on the program at every modern Olympic Games. In 1988, women started competing in Olympic track cycling .

All in all, this sport remains very popular and develops very fast.