ADT Event Center

Track Cycling 101

A velodrome is a bicycle-racing track where the "fastest" events in cycling are held. Races on a velodrome require special bikes that are single speed, direct drive (this means you can't coast!) and they have NO BRAKES! The bicycles are strong and built for speed. There are 20 permanent velodromes located around the United States.

Match Sprint
The match sprint is a test of power, speed and nerves. The early stage of this three lap event is typically slow as riders jockey for the best position. The sprint usually hits high gear for the last lap, where speeds can be in excess of 45 miles per hour. Exact timing for the final surge towards the finish line can make the difference between winning and losing.

Keirin
Keirin is a race in which riders draft behind a motorized bike for the first 5.5 laps of the eight lap event. During these early laps, the riders jockey for position but may not pass the motorbike. With 2.5 laps remaining the motorbike pulls off the track releasing the "hounds" for an all out dog fight to the finish line.

Points Race
The points race is a mix of sprinting and fast endurance racing. Riders will sprint for points every eight laps. A bell rings the lap before to announce the sprint lap. Points are handed out to the top four riders by finish order. Riders are also awarded 20 points if they lap the field - or have 20 points subtracted from their score if a rider loses a lap to the main field. The rider with the most points at the end of the event is declared the winner.

Scratch Race
The scratch race is the simplest type of track cycling event, yet often the most exciting. Racers start in a group, race a set number of laps and the first rider across the line wins. The endurance riders will set the pace and attempt to get away. The sprint riders will hope that it stays together for a crazy field sprint.

Madison
The Madison is derived from six-day races which began in 1899 in New York City”s famous Madison Square Garden. Known around the world as the “American”, the Madison is a high speed, two person continuous points race relay. Think of tag team wrestling meets track cycling - while one partner is racing the other is resting at the top of the track. The alternating of racing and resting allows speeds to remain very fast. The two riders work together to amass sprint points or try to take a lap. To win the Madison, distance covered (laps taken) scores higher than points won.

Individual Time Trials (Women = 500m, Men = 1000m)
Time trials are a race against the clock with no room for error. At the start of an individual time trial, the rider’s bike is held in place either by hand or by a special starting gate. Riders must time their first pedal stroke to match the release of the gate and/or the sound of the pistol.

Individual Pursuit
The individual pursuit is an endurance event and is conducted as a knock out tournament. The goal is to ride the fastest time over the distance. The riders are seeded based on their times in the qualifying round. Body position is important as aerodynamic positioning will limit the amount of air resistance that in turn increases a cyclist’s speed.

Team Sprint
The team sprint is a race against the clock for three man teams. Each rider is responsible for leading one lap then he pulls off for his teammates to take over. The task of the starting rider is to get out of the gate cleanly and bring the team up to high speed as quickly as possible.

Team Pursuit
The 4000 meter team pursuit is a real test of technique and teamwork. Four endurance cyclists comprise a pursuit team with the rider on the front of the quartet keeping the pace as high as possible. The finishing time is taken on the front wheel of the third rider across the line and it is often the case that only three riders will finish.