Track cycling has many disciplines

After Omnisport Apeldoorn hosted a fantastic Track Cycling World Championships last March, Omnisport is once again fortunate enough to welcome the European Track Cycling Championships this month. From October 21 to 23, high speeds will be achieved on bikes here during the European Track Cycling Championships. An extra exciting aspect of this event is that it also serves as a qualifying event for the Olympic Games in London. Track cycling, also commonly known as piste riding, is a branch of cycling. Track races are held on a specially constructed oval track, and riders typically use track bikes. Summer tracks (outdoors) have a length between 225 and 550 meters, while winter tracks (indoors) are usually 250 meters long, but in the case of an Olympic track, the distance is always 250 meters and it is usually covered. The banking in the curves is approximately 33 degrees.

Of disciplines

Track cycling includes the following disciplines: Sprinting; Tandems; Time Trial; Pursuit; Stayering; Keirin; Omnium; Points Race; Madison; Team Pursuit; Chase; Scratch; Six Days and World Hour Record.

80-year-old Belgian Cycling Federation

In 1983, track races were held in Belgium in connection with the 80th anniversary of the Belgian Cycling Federation. In succession: Sprint; Team Time Trial; Points Race and Stayering.

Stayeren

In drafting, all riders ride behind a pacemaker, usually a derny. This allows high speeds to be reached. Drafting also means “riding a long distance”.

Opening of the National Stadium of Nicaragua

In 1948, track races were organized in Nicaragua on the occasion of the opening of the modern national stadium. The national stadium is the largest stadium in Nicaragua, with a capacity of 40.000 people. The stadium was built in 1948 and survived the earthquake of 1972.

Track competitions at the 9th Asia Games

This mint stamp from 1982 provides a symbolic image of track cycling.

The winner receives flowers …

In 1966, Thailand released this cover on the occasion of the fifth Asian Games. The winner of the track race rides a victory lap with the flowers around the track in front of a full grandstand. The winner of the International Peace Race WBP appears to be riding with a wreath of flowers around his neck.

Team time trial

A team time trial is a discipline of cycling in which riders complete a fixed course as a team. The winner is the team that completes the course the fastest. Teams are generally the same size, and often not the entire team but only a (predetermined) number of riders need to cross the finish line together. See here: Japan 1995 Team Time Trial on the track.

9e Britisch Commonwealth Games 1970

Various track competitions were also held here. The cover shows a nice overview of the track. The ninth British Commonwealth Games, an event now known as the Commonwealth Games, were held from July 16 to 25, 1970, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first edition that the games were organized under this name; the first four editions were organized as the “British Empire Games,” and the subsequent four as the “British Empire and Commonwealth Games.”

The track bike

A track bike is a bicycle specifically designed and manufactured for use on a velodrome. It is a racing bike lacking many parts: there are no brakes (because there are no unexpected obstacles on the track), no gears (because there are no inclines and no wind), and no freewheel. The angle of the handlebars relative to the frame and the width of the handlebars differ from those of racing bikes commonly used on the road, such as in the Tour de France. The dropouts in the rear fork are directed backward, just as is the case with the traditional Dutch 'opoefiets', whereas on a road racing bike they are directed forward. Chain tensioners are not necessary as the chain is made precisely to fit the frame. The track bike has essentially remained unchanged since its inception; only the materials from which track bikes are made have changed and improved. It is clearly visible on these seals that this is a track bike. The bike has no brakes, etc. On the Argentina seal, you can also clearly see that there is only a single sprocket on the rear wheel. So, no gears!

The time trial bike

The time trial bike is a road bike specifically designed and built for the discipline of time trials. Usually, the time trial bike is not intended for climbing steep and/or long mountains, and is therefore not suitable for a climbing time trial. The bike is often equipped with a solid rear wheel to reduce air resistance and thus optimize aerodynamics, although this depends on the wind direction. An attachment is placed on the handlebars to enable the rider to adopt and maintain a better aerodynamic position. The frame also has a modified shape that is usually the result of extensive scientific research. Wind tunnel testing is also a frequently used tool for designing this type of bicycle. These stamps show an individual time trial and a team time trial, respectively. And now it's time for you to go for a bike ride yourselves 🙂