Sprint cycling might look strange at first, since the riders do not immediately race at their full speeds. They slowly get themselves into position and it looks as though the race has not started, although this portion of the race features a great deal of strategy. Sprint events usually feature a number of different heats, with the winners moving on until they ultimately reach the tournament final.
Length
The length of the race depends on the length of the track, as races on tracks less than 333.33 m in length last for three laps, while races on tracks 333.33 m in length or greater last for two laps. These races also feature a flying start, which means that the racers will have already started riding before the sprint portion begins. Racers will generally only sprint for the final 200 m of the race, as they will spend the rest of the time strategizing and putting themselves in the best position to win the sprint.
Competitors
Races take place with two to four competitors. In the World Cup, the entire tournament features 16 racers, while the World Championships feature 24 riders. The riders will randomly receive lane assignments, which determines who lines up on the inside of the track. The other competitor will receive the inside portion of the track in the second heat, with a new draw taking place if the race requires a third and deciding heat.
Track Position
Before the sprint portion of the race begins, riders can use the entire track, but must allow other riders room to pass. Once the sprint begins, however, riders cannot pass on the blue band and the leader must provide room on his right for other competitors to pass him. Once the leader goes below the sprinter's lane on the inside of the track, he must stay there throughout the race and all riders must pass on the right.
Stoppages
At certain points of the race, a stoppage may become necessary. If one rider falls due to an infraction from another rider, officials can disqualify that rider and restart the race. If an unintentional fault caused the fall, the race will restart and the guilty rider will start on the inside of the track. If a rider falls on his own, the officials can either restart the race or consider the results final. A tire puncture and other bicycle equipment failures can also lead to the restarting of a race.
Member Comments