After the time trial and street biking on the Olympics, observe biking involves the fore, with per week of competitors in Paris from Monday 5 August to Sunday 11 August.
Over the course of the week, six males’s and 6 ladies’s gold medals are in competition throughout six occasions and a number of rounds.
The UK has at all times finished properly in Olympic observe biking, however there’s rising competitors, assisted by an arms race in observe bike design. The Hope-Lotus observe bike ridden by Team GB continues to be thought-about vanguard, however different nations are catching up and the Japanese V-Izu TCM-2 observe bike is headline-grabbing for its €126,555 price ticket.
But what are the six observe biking competitions on the Olympics? Here is a quick information to every occasion, with much more element by way of hyperlinks to our pages for every Olympic observe biking occasion.
Below that you will discover the solutions to nearly each query you may need about observe biking in our Frequently Asked Questions part.
Team pursuit
Considered an endurance occasion (versus a dash), regardless of taking solely round 4 minutes, the group pursuit consists of 4 riders using 4,000m, or 16 laps of the observe, with two groups beginning at reverse sides of the observe in all however the first spherical.
The group pursuit requires precision for the riders to maintain shut to one another to slipstream the lead rider, who will peel off up the banking and take their place on the rear of the practice. Riders absorb activates the entrance to maximise the velocity of the group as a complete.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
There are three rounds to the competitors. Early rounds are towards the clock, and within the knockout rounds, two groups race on reverse sides of the observe. The time is taken for the third rider within the group, so groups will typically have one rider spend extra time on the entrance within the opening part earlier than peeling off.
Read what’s the group pursuit for extra particulars.
Team dash
The group dash is a timed race over a set variety of laps of the velodrome. In the lads’s race, groups of three race for 3 laps, whereas within the ladies’s race, groups of two race for 2 laps. There’s a standing begin, and every rider within the group will do a full lap on the entrance of the practice earlier than peeling off. The last rider within the practice will cowl two laps (ladies) and three laps (males) earlier than crossing the road to complete.
The quickest group to get their last rider throughout the end line is the winner.
The race takes place over three rounds. Early rounds are towards the clock, whereas the knockout levels see two groups beginning on reverse sides of the observe.
Read what’s the group dash for extra particulars.
Individual dash
The particular person dash is marked by the stand-off between riders, as they slowly lap the observe or trackstand, making an attempt to drive the opposite to maneuver first.
But earlier than this, there is a qualifying spherical with a flying begin, with two-and-a-half laps build-up and occasions then taken over 200m. It’s then that the tactical competitors begins, with a collection of rounds and heats to slim down the ultimate show-off for the gold and silver medals, the place it is first throughout the road who takes house the glory.
Read what’s the particular person dash for extra particulars.
Keirin
The keirin is one other occasion that many individuals will recognise, on this case for the motor-pacing, the place a rider on a petrol-driven or electrical bike, referred to as a derny, leads the riders earlier than peeling off.
Riders draw tons to see the place they are going to be positioned and the derny paces them as much as 50km/h over three laps. Once the derny has left, there are three raced laps, with a collection of rounds to find out the medallists.
Read what’s the keirin for extra particulars.
Omnium
The omnium is a set of 4 totally different occasions, all held on the identical day.
The first occasion is the scratch race, with a first-past-the-post race over 10km for males and seven.5km for ladies.
That’s adopted by the tempo race, the place factors are awarded for sprints and for lapping the sector. After 4 laps, there is a dash each lap, however making a breakaway and lapping the sector will garner many extra factors than profitable a dash.
Next is the elimination race, with a dash happening each different lap, and the final rider eradicated every time.
Finally, the factors race is over 100 laps (25km) for males and 80 laps (20km) for ladies. There’s a dash each 10 laps and, as with the tempo race, there’s a big profit from lapping the sector.
Read what’s the omnium for extra particulars.
Madison
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/element/news-photo/benjamin-thomas-of-team-france-sprints-during-the-mens-news-photo/1332821181?adppopup=true
The last Olympic observe biking occasion is the madison. It’s a mass-start occasion with 16 groups of two on the observe at a time and depends on factors to find out the winner. Points are accrued by way of sprints all through the race and by lapping the sector. The males’s race takes place over 200 laps (50km), whereas the ladies race over 120 laps (30km).
Only one of many two riders will probably be lively at any time, the opposite should stay above the blue ‘stayer’ line till a handover utilizing a handsling to drag the second rider again into competitors. It’s as much as the group to resolve the timing of its handover.
Read what’s the madison for extra particulars.
Track biking FAQs
Why can’t observe cyclists cease pedalling?
Track cyclists journey on a hard and fast gear bike, which does not have a freewheel within the rear hub. Instead, the one sprocket on the rear is hooked up on to the rear wheel. This permits good energy switch for explosive acceleration, however signifies that the rider should pedal whereas the bike is transferring. It additionally signifies that braking is by way of the rider’s legs quite than having a mechanical brake.
What is a derny bike?
A derny is a motor-powered bike. Riders journey behind the derny within the first few laps of the keirin occasion as they collect velocity. The derny then peels off and the riders compete towards one another.
Dernys was powered by a small petrol motor with a gas tank over the entrance wheel, however fashionable dernys are more and more powered by an electrical motor. The derny rider will sit upright to assist decrease wind resistance for the riders behind.
They can journey as much as 90km/h, however races not often exceed 80km/h.
What is a tubular tyre?
A tubular tyre is fashioned as a steady roll of casing material, like a round sausage, with the within edges of the tyre sewn collectively. There’s an internal tube enclosed within the casing. The tyre is glued to the wheel rim, which has a shallow dish quite than the extra customary clincher wheel’s raised rims.
Tubular tyres was in style with street racing cyclists, however they’ve largely been changed by tubeless clinchers. They’re nonetheless used on the observe as a result of their skill to carry excessive pressures, however some nations have begun utilizing tubeless tyres and internal tubes on the observe too.
What stress do observe bike tyres run?
While on roads, wider tyres at decrease pressures are quicker, a slim tyre at excessive stress continues to be quicker on a observe as a result of easy floor. Thus observe bike tyres are sometimes run at over 100psi, in some instances as much as 200psi.
What is a disc wheel?
A disc wheel is a wheel which has enclosed sides, quite than utilizing spokes. It’s typically used as a rear wheel for time trial bikes, as a result of its aerodynamic qualities, though disc wheels are usually heavier than spoked wheels, in addition to costlier. It’s uncommon for cyclists to make use of a disc wheel on the entrance as a result of wind catching it could possibly make it tougher to steer safely, however Wout van Aert did use one within the time trial in Paris.
Indoors, the place wind is not a problem, disc wheels are extra generally used on the entrance in addition to on the rear.
What is a trispoke wheel?
A trispoke wheel has three broad carbon spokes between its rim and hub. It’s extra manoeuvrable than a disc wheel, however extra aero than a spoked wheel and sometimes used because the entrance wheel of a observe bike.
Not all observe bikes are outfitted with entrance wheels with three spokes; wheels with 4 or extra spokes are additionally typically used.
How quick do observe cyclists go?
Track cyclists can obtain peak speeds in dash and group pursuit occasions of round 80km/h. The males’s world report for the group pursuit is 3:42.032, which is a mean of just about 65km/h (40.3mph) from a standing begin.
Why don’t observe bikes have brakes?
Since they’re fixed-gear bikes, riders of observe bikes can decelerate simply by decreasing their pedalling cadence, so there is no want for brakes. The observe is flat and there are not any obstacles to stop a managed slowing down with out braking.
Can Olympic observe cyclists win the Tour de France?
Track biking and street racing are very totally different occasions, requiring totally different rider capabilities. The Tour de France takes place over 3,000km-plus over 21 days of racing.
In distinction, observe occasions are all underneath 100km, most importantly so, and a few are as brief as 200 metres. They’re on the flat too, so a rider would not have to be good at climbing, not like Tour de France winners. Track cyclists are usually powerfully constructed and good at anaerobic train, whereas Tour de France winners are lean and have excessive cardio capability.
There is often some crossover between street and observe cyclists although. Filippo Ganna is an Italian street bike owner who races time trials, has raced the Tour de France, and can compete within the Team Pursuit in Paris. He will nearly actually by no means win the Tour de France although, as his talent is in races towards the clock, not racing up mountains.
However, Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas, each Team GB athletes in recent times on the observe, have received the Tour de France. Both raced on the observe to nice success earlier than refocussing on the street. Wiggins had a four-year hole, profitable his final Olympic observe medal in 2008 and the Tour de France in 2012. Thomas’s hole was six years, profitable in 2012 on the observe and 2018 in France.
How a lot does an Olympic observe bike value?
Despite their mechanical simplicity, Olympic observe bikes are very costly. That’s as a result of substantial R&D that goes into creating a top-fight observe bike and the small marketplace for Olympic-level observe bikes. There’s a relentless arms race to make Olympic observe bikes extra aerodynamic and higher performing.
The Team GB Hope-Lotus observe bike frameset alone prices round £25,000, relying on the spec. The most costly observe bike is at present the Japanese V-Izu TCM-2, which prices over £100,000 should you tried to purchase one. Most observe riders have their bikes provided by their nationwide groups, so they are not paying for them.
Why do observe bikes look humorous? Why are they so broad?
It’s solely lately that observe bikes have turn into broad, with the Hope-Lotus bike the forerunner. Previously, they had been very slim, however Team GB’s analysis confirmed that the body was extra aerodynamic if the fork blades and seatstays had been refrained from the turbulent air attributable to the wheel and as an alternative positioned in step with the rider’s legs. It’s a pattern since adopted by different nations for his or her observe bikes.
There are different odd-looking aerodynamic options, such because the double seatpost on the French group’s Look P24.
Some observe bikes have their drivetrains on the left, quite than the correct aspect of the bike. Pioneered by the US group on the Rio video games, the pondering is that since observe bikes at all times flip to the left, the left aspect gearing is extra sheltered by the entrance wheel and so extra aerodynamic.
Why don’t observe bikes have gears?
Since they’re ridden on the flat, there is no want for decrease ratios to deal with hills. Track riders practice to ship energy effectively at a spread of cadences. Many observe occasions solely contain competitors as soon as the rider is transferring, so there’s no use for a low gear to get began both.
What is drafting?
Drafting happens the place a following rider rides shut sufficient to the rider in entrance to learn from their slipstream, thus saving quite a lot of vitality – estimates vary as much as 50%.
It’s a standard tactic in all biking, however notably in observe occasions such because the group pursuit, the place riders will practice to journey very shut behind one another to maximise the aerodynamic acquire.
Why do some bikes have further handlebars?
Bikes designed for pursuit occasions, the place riders sustain excessive speeds for longer distances, will probably be outfitted with bar extensions. Once they’ve accelerated, once they’ll use the broader bars, riders will use the extensions. These hold them low and tucked on the bike, for optimum aerodynamics.
Bikes used for sprints do not have extensions, since riders are placing in excessive effort for a shorter distance and so want to have the ability to pull towards the handlebars, quite than getting tucked.
What is a handsling?
A handsling is the place one rider grabs one other’s hand behind them and pulls them ahead. It’s a function of the Madison occasion, the place pairs of riders hand over racing between them, and permits the lead rider to impart their momentum to the follower, making for a quicker handover.
What are the ridges on Olympic cyclists’ package for?
Aerodynamics in observe biking extends from the design of bikes to the clothes worn. It’s been discovered that ridged materials might be extra aerodynamic than easy ones.
Ridges and sawtooth trailing edges now prolong to trace bike frames too, in pursuit of optimum aerodynamics.
What is a observe stand?
A observe stand is the place a rider retains their bike stationary by balancing their bike with out placing a foot down. They might hold their bike fully stationary or, for the reason that bike gearing is fastened, rock it barely backwards and forwards.
It’s utilized in particular person dash races to attempt to acquire a bonus over an opponent and drive them to steer out in order that the second rider can slipstream them as soon as the dash part begins.
How steep is the Paris velodrome?
On a typical Olympic size 250m observe, the banking will rise to round 42 levels. It will probably be larger on a shorter observe, and fewer on an extended observe.
How heavy are Olympic observe bikes?
As with all bikes utilized in competitors, observe bikes are topic to the UCI’s 6.8kg minimal weight restrict. Since they’re mechanically easy and often constructed of carbon fibre, many will weigh round this worth.
Several nations are experimenting with 3D-printed metallic observe bike frames although, which can enhance the load considerably.
How a lot energy do observe sprinters put out?
So much. There’s a video of German observe bike owner Robert Förstemann producing sufficient energy for over three minutes – round 700 watts – to toast a slice of bread. In his prime, Chris Hoy might put out 2,500 watts and 700Nm torque. A great benchmark for many male observe sprinters is round 25 watts per kilo, and 20 watts per kilo for ladies.
How lengthy is the Paris Velodrome?
The black line, on the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome is measured at 250 metres (273.4 yards) lengthy, as is Olympic customary.
The crimson line, which sits 90cm outward of the black line, is 5.7m longer for a full lap of the velodrome.
What do all of the strains on the observe imply?
On the very inside fringe of the observe is a flat part. Usually unboarded and product of concrete, it is used to get began.
Next is a lightweight blue line, dubbed the ‘Côte d’Azur’, which signifies the within fringe of the observe. 20cm above this can be a black line, which denotes the size of the observe and is adopted as a lot as doable by riders to maintain the space they must journey to a minimal.
At 90cm above the black line is a crimson line. Called the sprinter’s line, it is utilized in dash competitions. As lengthy as a lead rider is between the black and crimson strains, one other rider should move above them. While being handed, the chief cannot transfer above the crimson line and should keep inside the two strains.
Finally, there is a blue line additional up the observe, which is used within the Madison. Every not-in-play rider from every pairing should stay above this in order that they are not in the best way of competing riders.
Is Lotus bike the identical as Lotus automobiles?
Both are a part of the identical group. As with many efficiency motor sport manufacturers, equivalent to Red Bull and McLaren, Lotus Group consists of an engineering consultancy, which developed the Hope-Lotus bike alongside British Cycling.
Hope Tech is a biking model primarily centered on mountain bikes and elements, which is chargeable for constructing the frameset.
Why do observe cyclists put on visors and unusual helmets
As with their bikes and clothes, aero is all the things for observe cyclists. An enclosed helmet with an extended tail and a visor will probably be extra aerodynamic than a typical vented street helmet.