Track Cycling – An Introduction by Sandra Ginever
What is a Velodrome?
Track cycling (that is on a
velodrome) can take place on either concrete, asphalt or
wooden surfaces. They vary in size from the international
standard (usually indoor wooden surface 250m track with 43°
banking) to outdoor velodromes of 330m (like Morrinsville
will build) to over 400m. Velodromes with a longer
circumference usually have less banking than shorter steeper
ones.
Eliot Crowther on an indoor
wooden velodrome.
Black line is the race
line. People must ride on or above this line.
Blue band is a safety
line at the base of the velodrome. It is not used for racing
on but is there for safety in case of bunch movement. Also
known as the "Cote d'Azur".
Red line Is the
sprinters line. Once the people at the front are deemed to
be sprinting towards the finish line a rider is not allowed
to pass the leader by going into that line zone between the
black and red line. If the leader goes out of that line it
is possible to go under them as they have given up the
sprinters lane.
The Blue Line up high
is a safety line which is often used for people who are
warming up. Faster riders go below the line and slower
riders go above (although when riding on steeper tracks it
pays to get one's speed up before going up the banking!).
Pursuit Lines are two
black or blue lines going vertically up the track at
opposite ends of the track.
Sprint Line is the
black line going vertically up the track 200m from the
finish line.
How do I ride a Velodrome?
To race on a track one needs a
track bike (that is a bike that has fixed gearing and no
brakes). Clothing is usually a skinsuit or a racing top
without pockets and a pair of cycle shorts. Cycling shoes
and helmet are a must. There are NO watches to be worn or
timing devices for safety (in case of crashes). People ride
in an anti-clockwise direction. Because of the single gear
it pays to own a few chain rings and sprockets so you can
change to a preferred gear when required.
What type of races are done
on velodromes?
Track cycling is a lot shorter
in distance than road racing and importantly there are no
hills but two bankings, one at each end of the velodrome.
Depending on grades people race different events.
Definitions for starting a
race
Standing Starts: are
where people are held for the start of a race. This could be
with a handler or a mechanical start machine.
Rolling Starts: is
where people hold onto the rail at the edge of the velodrome
and bunch up to do one lap before a gun goes off to mark the
start of an event. This is often used for longer scratch
races.
Track Cycling Events
Sprint Races:
Sprinting: Include a
ride for time over a 200m distance for the first round then
slower riders go against faster and through a process of
elimination a winner is found.
Keiren: Racing usually done
with six or so riders following a motorbike or derny up to a
set speed then it pulls off with two or three laps to go
(dependent on size of velodrome), people race to the finish
line.
Team Sprint: This is a
team event where three riders start at the pursuit line and
each do one lap. The first rider peels off at the end of one
lap, the second at the second and the third rider completes
the third lap to stop the clock. The women’s event has two
riders.
Time Trial: This race
is an individual time trial over a set distance. Under 17
boys/girls, Elite and Junior Women compete over a 500m
distance. Elite Men and Junior Men compete over 1000m
(known as the Kilo). The time trial is basically a sprint
event.
Pursuit Races:
Pursuit: is a race
where people start on opposite sides of the velodrome and
try to catch one another (but winning is set by timing).
Usually there are seeding rounds then the 1st and 2nd ride
for Gold/Silver and 3rd and 4th qualifying ride for the
Bronze medal.
Teams Pursuit: is as
above pursuit but competed in teams (usually of four riders
but have the ability to finish with only three).
Endurance Races:
Scratch Race: This is a
race where a bunch of riders starts together and completes a
set number of laps of the velodrome. The winner is the
person who crosses the line first. Distances of Scratch
Races vary from grade to grade and between men and women.
Points Race: This race
is where a bunch of riders starts together and completes a
set number of laps of the velodrome with sprints every
certain number of laps. This is a very interesting race
because the person with the most points at the end wins.
There are also points given out for lapping the field.
Madison: This race is a
team race for two riders per team racing against other
riders. Teams are spit to begin with racing on opposite
sides of the track. One person in the team starts on the
start/finish and then slings their team mate into the race.
This is often a fast and frenzied race. There are sprints as
per a points race. The winning team is the team with the
most points.
Omnium is a new event
which people compete in a series of events mentioned above
(Sprint qualifying, pursuit, scratch race, points race etc)
Points are gathered from placings in each event and the
winner is the rider with the most points. This is similar to
a decathlon on track and field). At this point in time it is
an Elite Men’s only event.
Just for Fun Races –
often at Club Nights (no national titles here)
Elimination Race: (also
known as Miss and Out): This race is not a national title
event but is great to watch and also a great training event
for club nights. Riders start in a bunch but after a certain
amount of laps the whistle blows and the last rider across
the line is eliminated. Most club nights ride down to two or
three riders who then complete another set of laps and
sprint for the finish.
Point A Lap: This race
is a bunch race where each lap there is a sprint. The winner
is the person who has the most points at the end of the
race.
Win and Out:
This race is a bunch race where riders compete until a
whistle blows. This means a sprint for the finish line. The
winner of the race is the first person to cross the line.
They pull out. The whistle goes again and everyone else has
to sprint for a second lap and the winner of this sprint
becomes the 2nd place getter. They pull out. The whistle
goes again and the winner of this final sprint is the 3rd
place getter. A very tough event because you have to
maintain a sprint for a number of laps if you do not win the
first sprint.
Handicap: Riders are
given a handicap over a set distance. Scratch starts at the
start/finish line and have to complete the full distance.
What races are competed for
in the New Zealand Cycling Nationals?
Elite (Senior) Men:
Kilo, Sprints, 4000m Individual Pursuit, 15000m scratch
race, Points Race, Team Pursuit, Team Sprint (3 rider team),
Open Keiren, Madison, Omnium.
Elite (Senior) Women:
500m Time Trial, 3000m Individual Pursuit, Sprints, Scratch
Race, Points Race, Keiren, Team Sprint (2 rider team).
Masters: There are two
grades of veterans dependent on age. Events are Scratch Race
and Points Race plus riders can enter the Open Keiren and
Sprints.
Under 19 Men: Kilo,
3000m Individual Pursuit, Points Race, Scratch Race, Team
Sprint.
Under 19 Women: 500m
Time Trial, 2000m Individual Pursuit, Sprints, Points Race,
Open Women’s Scratch Race.
Under 17 Boys: Sprints,
500m Time Trial, 2000m Individual Time Trial, 500m Scratch
Race, Points Race, Team Sprint (3 rider teams).
Under 17 Girls: 500m
Time Trial, 2000m Individual Pursuit, Sprint, Points Race.
Under 15 Boys: Scratch
Races and 500m Time Trial.
Under 15 Girls: Scratch
Races and 500m Time Trial.
How Popular is Track
Cycling In New Zealand?
New Zealand has many
velodromes (especially since track cycling was VERY popular
in the 1960s). At one time people raced on grass tracks
(even with national championships) however these are no
longer used.
The majority of New Zealand
velodromes are made of concrete or asphalt. Wanganui,
Invercargill (and soon Hawkes Bay) being the only places
with wooden surfaces.
Where are Velodromes near
Morrinsville?
In the Waikato Bay of Plenty
Region we have velodromes at Rotorua, Taupo, Te Awamutu,
Hamilton (seldom used). Riders often have to travel to
Auckland to race the Counties Manukau club nights on Manukau
Velodrome. Because each of these velodromes is so far away
(closest an hour and a half drive) it will be REALLY GREAT
when we have one of our own!!
What Races can I ride?
Counties Manukau Club
Night: - Auckland Centre at the Manukau Velodrome. These
are held on a Friday night (sometimes a Sunday if weather
isn’t suitable on the Friday). Races vary from week to week
and give riders great racing experience. Counties Manukau
also have training days.
Rotorua Club Nights: –
These are usually organised by Cycling Rotorua.
Te Awamutu Club Nights:
– these are usually organised by Te Awamutu Sports Cycling
Club. The velodrome is off Armstrong Avenue, Te Awamutu.
WBOP (Waikato Bay of
Plenty) Championships: are for riders registered in WBOP.
The events are like those mentioned above in the
Championship Races section.
National Championships: To
race at the national championships people have to be
selected by the WBOP Selectors. The selections are usually
based on results at the WBOP championships.
North Island Championships:
Anyone can enter these events usually held at the Te Awamutu
Velodrome. There is usually events for Sprinting and a
15000m race for the men as well as a range of other events,
decided by Te Awamutu Club.
How do you train for Track
Cycling?
The first step is to talk to
someone who knows and understands the nature of track
racing. It is important to have a sound base fitness. With
this base fitness people often specialize in one or more
events which are suited to their body type. Some races are
for endurance riders others are for sprinters. As soon as
you try track racing you will soon find out where your
strengths and weaknesses are. It is good to try many types
of track racing and also not to specialize too soon as many
junior cyclists excel in many events and then specialize in
the junior or elite categories.
So you think you are a
roadie? Why should you try track??
Even if you think you are a
‘roadie’ it is great fun to try track cycling. Many roadies
enjoy the experience and can achieve in longer endurance
events (i.e. points, scratch or pursuits). You can learn and
develop bike handling skills which can then be taken to the
road. Top cyclists like Sarah Ulmer, Julian Dean, Greg
Henderson, Gary Anderson have all had successful track
careers as well as on the road. The two sports compliment
each other very well! Go on then, give it a go.
Has Morrinsville Wheelers
had success on the track?
Morrinsville promote track
cycling, unfortunately it means people must travel as
mentioned above. However, when we get our own velodrome it
will promote track cycling even more!! It will be more
accessible to club riders and it will surely grow. We have
had a number of current and past Morrinsville Wheelers
members do exceedingly well on the track in all events:
Julian Dean, Mark May, Greg Ardell, Sandra May-Ginever,
Sarah Williams, Pete Murray.
Tim Bennett and Eliot Crowther
have recently competed at the Junior World Championships. So
I guess you could say that we are quite a group of trackies!!
Interested? – Who do you
talk to next?
Even if you are slightly
interested in track it is a good idea to find out more. As
a starting point people to talk to in Morrinsville are:
Club Coach: Bev May or
Dave May Who has heaps of experience as a mechanic and
handler
Club Captains: Mark
May, Rex Thorley and Tim Bennett
Bike Shop: Kaimai
Cycles, Morrinsville
Where do I get my track
bike?
It is important you get the
right sized bike for you. Morrinsville is fortunate to have
bike collectors like Bev & Dave May who have a selection of
track bikes to borrow. If you are willing to have a go but
not sure about the initial expense or whether track cycling
is for you ask them for advice. Cycling Auckland also has
some track bikes for seasonal hire. The bikes are stored at
Manukau Velodrome.
If you are more into track
cycling and definitely want to give it a blast go to Kaimai
Cycles and ask for Rex & Mark’s advice on what type of bike
to purchase.
What about other equipment?
Yes there are some really
snazzy bikes out there with carbon frames, disc wheels and
tri-spokes etc. These things are not necessary to get you
started on the track. Just make sure your have a quality
bike which is the right size for you. You will need a
selection of chain rings and sprockets to get you going. A
decent tool kit with tools to help change sprockets etc is
very useful and a pump is also handy. As you learn more
about track cycling and get into it you can then build up a
collection of cycle equipment… At the start just get out
there and have some fun!!
Happy Track Cycling
Everyone!!
|
