Cycle track

The history of track racing dates back to the late 19th century. The first World Championship was held in 1895.

Track cycling races are held on special oval–shaped tracks with a length from 133 to 500 m (World Championships and Olympic Games – from 250 to 400 m). The slope angle of the track is 42 degrees on the end (rounded) parts and 12.4 degrees on straight sections. The track width must be the same along its entire length and be at least 5 m (for tracks of the highest category – at least 7). The markings applied to the track (sprint and stayer lines, finish line, etc.) must have contrasting colors. The results (in time trials) are recorded to the nearest thousandths of a second.

The track includes the following disciplines:

• Sprint is a 2 or 3 lap race in which 2 to 4 riders take part. The winner is the rider who showed the best time.
• Team sprint is a competition consisting of a series of races over a distance of three laps, in which two teams consisting of three people compete with each other. In this case, each participant must lead one lap, after which he is eliminated from the race. The winner is the team with the best time.
• The keirin distance is 2 km or 8 laps. For the first five and a half laps, the riders follow a special “speeding” motorcycle. The motorcycle first follows at a speed of 25 km / h, gradually accelerates to 45 km / h and leaves the track two and a half laps before the finish. The winner is the rider who crosses the finish line first.
• Individual pursuit is a race for a certain distance, in which the start is made from opposite sides of the track and the winner of which is the rider who caught up with his opponent or showed the best time.
• Team pursuit – in this form, 4 people start for men, and 3 for women. The distance is 4 km for men, 3 km for women. The basic rules are similar to the rules of an individual race. In a team race, the position of the 3rd rider is considered the main one. It is by him that time is timed.
• Points Race – A group points race is a competition in which the final classification is determined by the number of points scored by riders at intermediate finishes or by the number of laps of distance advantage.
• Madison is a race with intermediate finishes, in which teams consisting of two riders participate. The classification is determined by the time of passing the distance and the number of points scored.
• Scratch – scratch participants take the start at the same time. All riders go the same distance. The winner is the rider who first crossed the finish line at the end of the race.
• Git per 1 km (for men) or 500 m (for women) – an individual time trial, in which the start is carried out from a place. The winner is the rider who showed the best time.