Track Cycling

First Olympic Year:

Ever since the start 1896. There was a gap in 1912, the Swedes don't like banked roads. Women started in 1988.

Origin:

Almost immediately after the popularity of bikes. People decided to race bikes. People wanted to see biking. This means that someone wanted to make money on people wanting to watch the people racing on bikes.

Track cycling allowed an easy way to put a lot of people in a stadium and charge prices. Plus, banked tracks!

There are many different events that have come in and out of the sport. The Olympic events in track cycling have not even been consistent throughout the years. Just know, usually the fastest is the best.

First Competition:

Greece had debuted the Track Cycling and the French dominated. They only brought two guys but the Frenchmen¹ won 6 medals including 4 Golds. Screw the French. Their wine is overrated and their food wouldn't make my top 5 in the world.²

Anyways, they had a pretty insane race called the 12 hour race. Basically the concept was that you would ride for 12 hours and who ever traveled the greatest distance would win. Seven people started the race, 4 people retired at 3 hours and a fifth at about the 5 hour mark. The race started at 5 AM and only 2 guys remained in the end, Adolf Schmal from Austria, who lapped everyone early in the race and Frank Keeping from Great Britain who he rode with the rest of the race. No one was awarded the bronze.

Dominant Countries:

The Brits are pretty great at getting from point A to B the fastest.

Basic Concept:

Let's talk about the Sprint.

You have three total laps. The first two laps are not timed and most of the time is used to get position. Each person will want to play it a little differently. Most will want to be second because of the draft they will able to pick up. If the guy wants to be in front they will usually try to force the trailer up to the top of the bank. After the two laps you need to cross the line first.

There is also a decathlon equivalent for track cycling called Omnium.

This includes 6 events³ : a flying lap which is a time trial for a single lap, a points race which gives points for the people who finish laps in the top 4⁴ for 20km laps, an elimination race which has a sprint every two laps and the last place person is eliminated, an individual pursuit for where riders start at opposite sides and race the clock, a scratch race is a 10km race where the first to finish wins, and a time trial for 500m.

How is the Outlook for the US?

Sarah Hammer looks to be in great position for the Women's Omnium, look for to compete Monday and Tuesday.

For the Men, they have already dropped off for the individual sprint, Jimmy Watkins placed 6^th.

What to Look For:

The Keirin is a cool race where teams are paced by a motorcycle. Don't swallow the exhaust fumes.

1Look at our bikes they are above these other bikes. Let us tour France Léon.

2Italy, China, Japan, Germany, and Mexico. It's on the next plateau with India, Spain, Greece, and Korea.

3Distances are for the Women's Omnium in the 2012 Olympics.

4From 1^st Place: 5-3-2-1