Track cycling is one of the fastest and most tactical Olympic sports. Riders race on an oval track called a velodrome, using special bikes with a fixed gear and no brakes. The sport is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Here are the main events.
The velodrome
Olympic velodromes are usually 250 metres long, with steeply banked curves that allow riders to keep high speed through the turns. Lines painted on the track mark lanes and help judges spot fouls.
Sprint events
**Individual sprint:** two or three riders race over three laps, but only the final 200 metres are timed. The early laps are a tactical game of cat and mouse, as riders try to make the other lead and then overtake. Riders first set a qualifying time over 200 metres with a flying start.
**Team sprint:** teams of three riders start on opposite sides of the track. Each rider leads for one lap and then pulls off, so the last rider finishes the third lap alone. The fastest team wins.
**Keirin:** a group of riders follows a pacing motorbike, called a derny, which slowly increases speed and leaves the track with about three laps to go. The riders then sprint for the line.
Endurance events
**Team pursuit:** teams of four start on opposite sides of the track and race over 4 km. Riders take turns at the front to save energy. The time is taken when the third rider crosses the line. A team that catches the other wins outright.
**Omnium:** a multi race event held in one day. Under the current format, it has a scratch race, a tempo race, an elimination race and a points race. Riders collect points across the races, and the highest total wins.
**Madison:** a team relay race for pairs. Only one rider from each pair races at a time, and they hand over by a hand sling. Points are given in sprints held every ten laps.
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India in cycling
India has a growing track cycling programme, with a national academy and riders competing in Asian events. Indian cyclists have won medals at the Asian Track Cycling Championships, especially in junior sprint events. The Cycling Federation of India governs the sport in the country.
Bottom line
Track cycling mixes raw speed with clever tactics. Knowing the events makes it much easier to follow the action at the Olympics and world championships.
Source / स्रोत: Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Olympics.com
