Velodrome Racing - A Magnificent Sporting Spectacle

For the uninitiated, a velodrome is an arena for trackline is a black line whose inner edge measurement is
cycling. It might look like a smaller version of Thetaken as the length of the racetrack. Another 90cm
Texas Speed Motorway during the NASCAR Sprintfurther up is the wide red sprinter's line. The route
Cup Series; a curvy race track, not for cars buttaken by riding between the black line and red line is
bicycles. While outdoor velodromes can found aroundthe most efficient, and if a cyclist is ahead in this area
the world, in temperate climates it is far more commonthey can not be overtaken on the inside. Instead other
to find indoor arenas. These indoor velodromes areriders must take the longer outside route, making an
unaffected by weather, and are not only moreearly lead invaluable.
comfortable for spectators, but provide a smootherVelodromes are typically used for a variety of race
ride and last longer.types. There are Points races where the winner is
All velodromes should have standardized markings todetermined by the accumulation of points, Elimination
provide riders with prompts regarding their racing line,races where the last placed rider from each lap is
and which also play an important part in defining theeliminated until only three to five riders remain and
rules for racing. Firstly, between the "apron" and theMadison races where pairs are teamed up in a tag
riding area proper there is a margin called the blueteam format. It is also worth noting that cycles
band. This actually comprises about one-tenth of thedesigned for velodrome races don't actually employ
total surface, although not strictly part of the track.conventional brakes or gears, but instead use a single
Even though it might not be against the rules to ride onfixed gear that allows the cyclist to slow the bike
the blue band using this area to pass another cyclistunder control by applying rearward pressure to the
will lead to disqualification. Just 20cm above the bluepedals.