Bicycle racing encompasses many forms in which bicycles are used for competition. Bicycle racing includes road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX racing and bike trials and cycle speedway.
As a sport, cycling is governed internationally by the Union Cycliste Internationale in Switzerland (for upright bicycles) and by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association (for other HPVs, or human-powered vehicles).
Track cycling events fit into two broad categories, Sprint races and Endurance races. Riders will fall into one category and not compete in the other. Riders with good all round ability in the junior ranks will decide to focus on one area or another before moving up to the senior ranks.
Sprint races are generally between 3 and 8 laps in length and focus on raw sprinting power over a small number of laps and race tactics to defeat opponents. Sprint riders will train specifically to compete in races of this length and will not compete in longer endurance races.
Main Sprint Events
- Sprint
- Team sprint
- Keirin
- Track time trial
Endurance races are held over much longer distances. While these primarily test the riders endurance abilities, the ability to sprint effectively is also required in the Madison, Points Race and Strach Race. The length of these races varies from 12 - 16 laps for the Individual and Team Pursuit races, right up to 200 laps for a full length Madison race in World Championships or Olympic Games.
Main Endurance Events
- Individual pursuit
- Team pursuit
- Scratch race
- Points race
- Madison
- Omnium
- Handicap
- Miss and Out, elimination orp'Devil Take the Hindmost'
World Track Cycling - Major Events
Olympic Games
Held every four years as part of the summer Olympics. There are currently 10 events in the Olympics, less than appear in the World Championship. 7 of these events are for men while only 3 are for women. Competition is held over five days.
As with other Olympic events the winner of each event is Olympic Champion and gold medal winner, while second and third places receive silver and bronze.
UCI Track World Championships
Held every year, usually in March or April at the end of the winter track season. There are currently 17 events in the World Championships, 9 for men and 8 for women. Qualification places are determined by different countries performance during the World Cup Classic series held through the season.
UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics
The World Cup Classics series consists of 5 events for 2008, previously 4, held in different countries throughout the world during the winter track cycling season. These meeting include all of the 17 events that take place in a World Championship and are usually spread over three days.
Events won and points scored by the riders throughout this series count towards qualification places for their nation in the World Championships at the end of the season.
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