The whole “Track” thing is very new to me. I came across this track primer from the Greater Victoria
Velodrome Association & I thought it might be interesting to others.
The Juan de Fuca Velodrome is a 333.3 metre concrete oval with 28 degree banking at the ends and 10 degree banking on the straights.
Starting at the bottom of the track above the apron is the blue band or Cote D’Azur. This is a transition area between the flat apron and the banked racing surface of the black.
The next black line is called the Gauge Line or Pole Line. This is where the track is measured from and riders are not to race below this line.
The Sprinter’s Line is the red line above the Pole Line. This Sprinter’s Lane is between the Pole Line and the Sprinter’s Line. The first rider in the lane has an advantage because another rider may not come down into the lane until completely clear of his front wheel. Riders can not pass on the inside.
The thin blue line is called the Stayer’s Line and is marked 1/3 of the way up the track. The area above this line is the resting area for cyclists during certain events.
On the back stretch is a narrow white line extending from the Pole Line to the top of the track. This line is 200 metres from the finish line and is used for sprints.
The Pursuit Lines are the two red lines opposite each other at the centre of the home stretch and back stretch, and are drawn halfway up the track. These are the start and finish lines for the Pursuit events and Olympic Sprints. The home stretch is marked with a red disk, red flag and/or a red light. The back stretch is marked with a green disk, green flag and/or green light.
FLAGS: In a pursuit, one flag showing either in the home stretch or back stretch indicates the race is in the first kilometre. Two flags indicates the last kilometre. Events :
Individual Pursuit
Team Pursuit
1000m Time Trial
500m Time Trial
Points Race
Sprint
Olympic Sprint
Keirin
Madison POWER EVENTS The Sprint
This is the most exciting race, where cyclist will try to outwit each other as they jockey for position before the ‘sprint’ to the finish line. On our track, the cyclists will complete three full laps. There are normally two cyclists at a time in this event. They draw lots to determine who will lead off on the first lap. The first lap must be at a minimum of walking pace. Some of the strategy may include standing still on the bike, in hopes that the other cyclist will have take the lead and therefore provide an opportunity to draft (the rider rides closely behind the other to take advantage of the pocket of still air). The final lap will see riders in an intense full-out sprint where some riders reach speeds of up to 80km/h.
Time Trial
This is a flat out sprint against the clock, a test of power and pain tolerance. Normally two riders are on the track, starting on opposite sides, although they are not racing against each other. Women race for 500 metres and men for 1 kilometre or a kilo.
Olympic Sprint
This quick and exciting race has the same starting format as the team pursuit, but with only three riders per team. In this race, after each lap the lead rider ‘peels off’ out of the race. By the final lap there is only one rider left sprinting to the finish line.
Keirin This is the predominant form of competitive cycling in Japan, where the race originated. Fans go to the Keirin meets and bet on the outcome. Up to eight cyclists start in a single file along the track. A motorcycle paces the field, leading them faster and faster around the track for three laps until it peels off. Then the riders are free to sprint for the finish line. Strength, courage and aggression are required to get the optimum position for the final lunge for the line.
ENDURANCE EVENTS
Points Race
This is a massed start event with up to 40 riders on the track at a time. Riders try to gain the largest number of points over the course of the race. Points are awarded to the top four riders on certain laps, double points are awarded on the final lap. The rider with the farthest distance traveled and the greatest number of points at the end of the race wins: this may not necessarily be the rider that crossed the finish line first. Riders who are ‘lapped’ are permitted to stay in the race. If they are lapped twice, they may be eliminated. This race is amongst the most difficult to judge, as you can imagine.
Individual Pursuit
This event will be extremely exciting to watch. Two racers start at the centre of the straightaway on opposite sides of the track. Each is racing for the best time. Each rider has their own lap counter, and will ring a bell to mark their final lap.
Team Pursuit
Two teams of four riders each start from opposite sides of the track. The winning team is decided by the front wheel of the third member’s bike crossing the finish line. If one of the teams is ‘lapped’ during the medal round, the fastest team is declared the winner. If one of the riders on a team cannot finish, the team may continue with three riders.
Madison
This is a relay event and one of the most fun to watch. A maximum of twenty teams of two men are on the track, trying to gain a lap on their opponents and score points during sprint laps. There is no official exchange zone and at any one time, only one member of the team is involved in the competition. While one team member races, the other member circles high on the track to rest. When the resting rider rejoins the competition, his teammate slings him into the fray, either by a hand sling or a firm push on the hip.