Track cycling
Track cycling is a fixed-gear bicycle sport on banked velodromes.
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using purpose-designed track bicycles.
- Main centers
- Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, UK), Japan, United States
- Governing body
- Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
Lore & Background
Early British centers included Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, and London. The most noticeable changes over a century have concerned the bikes themselves, engineered to be lighter and more aerodynamic.
Reader's Guide
Track cycling is significant for its long Olympic history and its role in developing bicycle technology and aerodynamics. The sport features two broad categories: sprint races (3–8 laps) and endurance races (longer distances). Major competitive events include the Olympic Games, UCI Track Cycling World Championships, and the UCI Track Cycling World Cup. The Madison race, named after Madison Square Garden, was added to the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. Aerodynamics heavily influence racing styles, with riders using drafting to conserve energy. The sport remains particularly popular in Europe, and in Japan the keirin race format is a popular betting sport.
Did You Know?
- The Madison race is named after Madison Square Garden in New York, where six-day races were held in the 1930s.
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