Omnium races in cycling can be held on the road or the track. Road omniums typically are held over multiple days and involve a combination of road race events. A standard format includes a time trial, a criterium and a road race over the course of two days. Track omniums include six track races completed over two days of racing on the velodrome. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has standardized the track omnium format.
Track Format
The UCI confirmed a new format for the track omnium in 2009. The format, which previously featured five events raced on a single day, now is a six-discipline event held over two days. Omnium events include three time trials and three mass-start events. The time trials feature the flying lap, the individual pursuit and the kilo for men or the 500-meter time trial for women. Mass-start events include the points race, the elimination race and the scratch race. According to UCI rules, the events should be held at least 30 minutes apart. A rider must successfully complete each event to move onto the next. Only racers who have finished all six races will receive a score in the omnium.
Winning an Omnium on the Track
The track omnium operates on a points system. Racers are awarded points for their placement in each event, and higher finishing places earn fewer points. Race officials maintain a cumulative total of points that they update following each event. At the end of all six events, the racer with the lowest point total wins the overall omnium. In the event of a tie in point totals, the winner is determined by the lowest cumulative time on the three time trial events.
Where to Watch an Omnium on the Track
Track omniums are held at World Cup events across the globe. Most countries include the Omnium in their national championship programs. The current omnium format will make its Olympic debut at the 2012 Games in London.
Road Format
The road omnium differs from the track omnium and from stage races held on the road. Track racers and stage racers may move onto subsequent events and stages only by successfully completing previous events and stages. Racers in a road omnium may elect to participate in only a portion of the overall event.
The road format has one other significant difference from the track format. Omnium road races lack a standardized format. While many omniums held on the road include a time trial, criterium and road race, this is not always the case. Some may not include all three formats; others may include multiple races in one, two or all formats. While most occur over two to three days, omniums can be held on a single day or, in rare cases, last longer than three days.
Winning an Omnium on the Road
Road omniums, like track omniums, operate on a points system. Racers earn points following each race. A cumulative point total determines the race winner. Typically, the omnium winner on the road is the racer who has accumulated the largest number of points. Occasionally, points are rewarded in reverse order, and the omnium winner will be the racer with the fewest points. Because omnium road racers are not required to complete each race that comprises the overall omnium, it is possible that the omnium road winner may not have raced in the entire event.
Where to Watch an Omnium on the Road
Most multi-day professional races follow a stage racing format. Omniums are a popular format for local and regional racing. Areas within the United States that have a strong cycling community likely will host an omnium at some point in the year. The road racing season generally runs from early spring through early fall. Local bike shops, local cycling clubs and state cycling associations should be able to direct you to the nearest omnium race.
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