Southern Cross Cycle Club

Types of Track Races

Most track races are over shorter distances than road races and the pace is generally faster and more intense. Here are some common track races explained.

Handicap/Wheel Race

A popular event but not a championship event. The handicap is normally run over 2000m. Depending on grading and past performances, riders are allocated a handicap mark around the track.

Individual Pursuit

Two riders start on opposite sides of the track and attempt to catch one another and to record the best time they can. The pursuit is held over distances of 2000-4000m.

Keirin

Riders are paced up to speeds over 50kms by a derny (a motor-powered bike with pedals). The riders are not permitted to move in front of the derny until it pulls to the side of the track with 2 _ laps remaining. It is an extremely tactical race based on speed and power. It is not unusual for the speed in the final sprint to be in excess of 70kph.

Madison

Similar to a point’s race but is an event where two riders (one racing at a time) compete as a team. Similar to a relay but the rider’s make multiple changes thought out the event, which can run from 30mins to 2hrs. The complexity of skill required in the madison means this one is for experienced riders only.

Points Race

Riders accumulate points through a series of sprints during a race on designated laps. The race can vary from 5-40kms. This is a race for riders that the have the ability to recover quickly and have a strong endurance base.

Scratch Race

A mass start race over a distance that can vary between 5km and 20kms.

Sprint Racing

This event is a race between two riders (one on one) over 3 laps of the
velodrome. Riders play a tactical game of “cat and mouse” over the first couple of laps in an attempt to keep the sprint down to the last 200-300m. This is a race of strength, speed and tractics.

Team Pursuit

Same as the individual pursuit but raced in teams of four. Through the advantages obtained from drafting behind another rider and each team rider completing turns of pace on the front, a team will travel faster than an individual.
The team’s time is taken from the third rider to cross the finish line.

Team Sprint

A team of three sprinters race this event over three laps against another team starting on the opposite side of the track. All riders’ start together but the front rider must complete one lap, the second rider in line must complete two laps and the third rider must complete three laps. The time is taken on the third rider crossing the line. This is a race of explosive power and speed.

Time Trial

In this event an individual races against the clock over 500-1000m.