The table below categorizes common track races using these parameters.
Where one can see these races is noted in parenthesis according to the
legend
below the table.
| Time Trial Events | Mass Start Events | |||||
| Sprint Events |
|
Match Sprint(E3,2)(SD)(C)(O)
Keirin(E2)(SD)(C)(O)(6) Chariot Race |
||||
| Endurance Events |
|
Scratch Race(E)(SD)(C)(O)
Handicap (a.k.a. Wheelrace)(E1)Points Race(E)(SD)(C)(O) Tempo(E) |
Legend:
(E) Encino Saturday Night Racing http://www.encinovelodrome.org/Race_schedule.html
Notes:(SD)
1 Amateur Athletic Foundation (AAF) Races (Kids) Only
2 USCF Categories Pro/1/2/3 Only
3 Far West Championships Only
San Diego Velodrome Tuesday Night Racing http://www.velodromes.org/html/teusday_format_2003.html(C) Championship Events (State, National, World)
San Diego Arizona Track Series http://www.sdvelodrome.com/html/AZRaceinfo.html
A 200 meters Time Trial shall take a flying start from the 200 meters
line and shall be used to select the participants and rankings for the
(Match) sprint competition.
In most cases, the rider takes one lap wind-up to speed for a Flying
200 on any track 200 meters in length or more.
Under UCI rules, the rider shall build up speed over a distance depending
on the length of the track:
- 250 meters track or smaller: 3.5 laps
- 285,714 meter tracks: 3.0 laps
- 333,33 meter track: 2.5 laps
- 400 meters track and longer: 2.0 laps.
500 meter
A standing start individual time trial that covers 500 meters.
Kilometer
A standing start individual time trial that covers 1000 meters.
USCF
Olympic Sprint is a race run over three laps of a track by two teams
of three riders, each of whom shall lead for one lap.
Successive Pulls.
(a) The leading rider shall move toward the outside of the track after
one lap and then drop back and leave the track without hindering the other
team.
(b) The rider that was in second position shall lead the following
lap and then shall drop out in the same manner.
(c) The third rider shall complete the last lap alone.
Pursuit is typically run as an individual time trial, although in most
cases two competitors are on the track at the same time, starting on opposite
sides of the track.
The distances used are 3000 meters for women and juniors, and 4000
meters for men.
At international level competitions, in both heats and finals the race
is run until the distance is covered or until
one rider catches the other.
Team pursuit is typically run as a four person team time trial covering
a distance of 4,000 meters.
The team's time is typically taken on the third place rider at the
finish (i.e., one rider may pull off before the end).
At international level competitions, in both heats and finals the race
is run until the distance is covered or until
one team catches the other.
Italian Pursuit (Team Pursuit Variant)USCF
Italian pursuit is a race between teams of any number of riders over a specified distance. The teams are spaced at equal intervals around the track at the start. The leading rider of each team shall lead for one or two laps, as specified, then pull off. The second rider shall then take the lead for the same number of laps and also stop. The same procedure shall be followed until there is only one rider on the track per team during the last one or two laps. The team whose last rider is farthest ahead as compared to the teamís starting position, wins.
USCF
A Keirin is a race in which riders sprint after completing a certain
number of laps behind a pacer. The race will be 8 laps on a 250 m track,
6 laps on a 333 m track and 5 laps on a 400 m track (approximately 2 km
total race distance). No more than nine riders may compete in a Keirin.
If the number of entrants warrants, there may be qualification and/or
repêchage
rounds leading to a final race. Normally the pacer rides a derny or motorized
pacing bicycle; a tandem may be used when practicable.
Chariot Race
A one lap Scratch Race. Riders are held
by officials at the start. Sometimes riders choose a smaller gear for
acceleration,
but can be passed right at the finish by those in a higher gear.
USCF
A scratch race is one in which all riders start from the same point
at the same time. The race shall be run over a specified number of laps
and the riders classified according to the order in which they cross the
line on the final lap.
If stated in the Official Race Announcement, free laps up to a distance
of 1300 meters may be taken in a case of a mishap. However, free laps may
not be taken in the final kilometer of the race.
Lapped riders not in contention are normally removed. When lapped riders
are not removed, they will finish on the same lap as the leaders and shall
be placed according to the number of laps they are down and then their
position at the finish. Riders not finishing will not be placed.
Handicap (Also Called "Wheelrace")(Scratch Race Variant)Points RaceUSCF
A handicap race is a race in which the stronger riders are given either a greater distance to travel or a later start so as to equalize competition.
The starting positions or the time allowances must be announced to all participants before the start of the race. The official handicapper shall decide what distance or time allowance is to be granted to each competitor. The competitor must supply accurate information to the handicapper.
Starts will be made on the track itself unless the banking is too steep for safety, in which case the competitors shall start on the blue band.
Concurrent Starts. If two or more riders are to start from the same point, they may be placed one after the other or side by side, whichever is safer. The holders may be allowed to run with their riders for a short distance at the start, provided this is clearly stated before the race.
The starter shall be positioned so as to see all riders and may have an assistant with a flag to assist in observing a possible false start.Unknown Distance (Scratch Race Variant)
As simple as it sounds. The riders start the race not knowing how long the race will be. The distance is predetermined and kept a secret until the official rings the bell for the final lap.
USCF
A points race is a rolling start scratch race in which sprints for
points are held on certain laps as designated by the organizer, usually
every five laps, but every 2 km for Elite Championships. In each sprint,
the first four riders shall normally be awarded points in order of finish
as follows: 5 points, 3 points, 2 points, 1 point. The number of points
will be doubled on the final sprint.
(a) A points race ends when the leader completes the required distance.
All other riders will finish on the same lap as the leader. Riders who
have mishaps in the last 2000 meters shall retain the points and laps that
they had at the time of the mishap relative to the main group. Other riders
who fail to complete the race shall not be placed.
(b) Laps gained shall take precedence over points in determining final
placings. Points determine the final placings of riders who are equal on
laps. When riders are tied on both laps and points, the number of first
places in sprints shall be used to break the tie. If still tied, then the
number of second places in sprints shall decide. If still tied, then the
order of finish in the final sprint shall be used.
Tempo (Points Race Variant)
This 10 to 20 lap race is similar to the points race, but much shorter. Sprints happen each lap, and the winner gets two points and the second rider gets 1 point. The final lap awards points to the top four racers as follows; 4 points, 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point. The rider with the most points wins.Snowball (Points Race Variant)
A variation of the tempo race. Laps increase in value by one point each lap. The first lap is worth one point, the 2nd lap is worth 2 points, and so on.Miss and Out (Points Race Variant)
USCF
A miss-and-out (sometimes called ědevil take the hindmostî) is a massed start race in which the last rider over the line on designated laps is eliminated from the race. Riders may be eliminated every lap, every other lap, or on whatever regular schedule is stipulated before the race. Gaining a lap shall not prevent a rider from being pulled nor matter in the final placings. A rider shall be considered to have gained a lap upon reaching a position to take shelter behind the rearmost rider of the group.
Judging. The back edge of the rear tire determines who is the last rider over the line.
The Chief Judge shall notify the last rider over the line. The rider shall withdraw with due caution as soon as itís practical.
Pulling Riders. If a rider does not withdraw as instructed, the Chief Referee may call one or more free laps until the rider has retired. [A rider who blatantly disregards instructions to leave the field shall be subject to disqualification from the remaining events in the event and possible suspension.]
Riders suffering mishaps shall be eliminated. When fewer than 8 riders remain, riders suffering mishaps shall be placed ahead of riders already eliminated.
Finish. The miss-and-out may be ridden to the last person or to a specified number of survivors. In the latter case, there may be a free lap followed by a conventional sprint, judged on the order of finish by the front wheels. The format to be used must be explained to all riders before the start of the race.Danish (Also Called Win and Out) (Points Race Variant)
This race is the opposite of the Miss-and-Out. The rider who wins the first lap leaves the race and is declared the winner. The winners of subsequent laps leave the race and are placed accordingly.USCF
A Madison is a points race between teams of two or three riders who relay each other for a specified distance or time. In no case may more than two members of a team race at the same time.
Sprints for points shall be held in the same manner as a points race. The number of points normally is doubled on the last sprint. The organizer may specify different points allocations provided that he informs the officials in writing in advance of the race.
Gaining and losing laps and final placings of teams in a madison race are determined in the same way as for riders in a points race.
At the start of the race, one rider from each team will be on the line and the other rider(s) will be on relief. A rolling start will be used.Derny Racing (a.k.a. Motor Pacing) (Points Race Variant)
UCI
Derny Racing (a.k.a. Motor Pacing) is a race in which each rider rides behind a motorcycle-mounted pacer.
Pacing races may be held either over a set time (1 hour) or a set distance.
In the latter case, the distances shall be:
ď heats: 25 km
ď final: 2 legs of 30 km each
All the heats shall be run the same day.
There shall be at least two heats and each heat shall involve a maximum of 8 riders.
The final shall be run in two legs at 30-minute intervals.
The following points scale shall be applied to each leg:
1st 50 points
2nd 35 points
3rd 25 points
4th 17 points
5th 11 points
6th 7 points
7th 4 points.
The final placings are obtained by adding the points won by each rider in the two legs. In the case
of a draw, the place in the faster leg shall decide.
New amendments not published in the file "Track Races" http://www.uci.ch/english/about/rules/ch03_track_mod.pdfAn Introduction to - Track Cycling An overview of track racing By Jeff Jones and John Stevenson http://www.cyclingnews.com/track/?id=trackoverview00