Cycling Track What is Track Cycling?
Track cycling involves races on bikes set on an oval track, often made of wood and usually indoors but not always, in a velodrome.
By whom, where and when was Track Cycling invented?
Bicycles were first developed in the mid-18th century and have been a popular form of transport ever since.
As early as 1870, track races in England were regularly attracting large crowds. The riders competed on wooden indoor tracks that closely resembled the modern velodromes of today. Such tracks ensured the event could be competed all year round. But for promoters, there was an even greater benefit—spectators could be charged an entrance fee.
What are the rules of Track Cycling?
The rules differ from event to event within track cycling, but generally the sport involves crossing the finishing line first or obtaining the most points or laps of the field to win.
Track Cycling and the Olympics
Track cycling events have been organised at all the editions of the Games since 1896, with the exception of the 1912 Games in Stockholm, when only the road race was staged. Between 1924 and 1992, the range of events was generally as follows: sprint, time trial over one kilometre, tandem and team pursuit. The individual pursuit was added to the programme of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and the tandem was dropped after the 1972 Games in Munich.
Women have competed in the track events since the Seoul Games in 1988.
Best Track Cycling riders to watch
There is some cross-over between track and road cyclists, and road time triallists and sprinters sometimes enjoy success in track events. Filippo Ganna, Harrie Lavreysen, Laura Kenny, Ethan Hayter, Mathilde Gros, Lotte Kopecky, and Lea-Sophie Friedrich are among some of the names who are stars of the velodrome.