Going back more than 100 years, track bike racing has long enjoyed a small but passionate following since the first world championships were held in 1895. That tradition continues in the 2008 Olympics, which offers a total of ten different individual and team track racing events, the most of any of the cycling disciplines.
The Sport of Track Cycling
For those unfamiliar with track cycling, the sport may seem odd, and somewhat difficult to understand. But ultimately it comes down to the basic premise of bike racing anywhere: be the fastest rider around the track.
- Track Cycling Rules and Judging:
- Your Road to Glory: Making the Olympic Track Cycling Team
The Athletes
Track cyclists largely compete in obscurity, at least in the U.S. There are no stadiums crowded with thousands of cheering fans; the riders don't get hounded for autographs in restaurants or the airport. That doesn't make their quest any less worthwhile: to be the absolute best in the world at their sport.
The events in Olympic track bike racing are:
Men
Individual Events
- Sprint
- Individual pursuit
- Points race
- Keirin
- Team pursuit
- Team sprint
- Madison
Women
- Sprint
- Individual pursuit
- Points race
