How long is olympic velodrome

The length of the track multiplied by a round number of laps or half laps equals 1,m. The smaller the track, the steeper the banking. The width of the track is constant throughout its length. Tracks approved in categories 1 and 2 have a minimum width of 7m. Other tracks have a width proportional to its length of 5m minimum. The tolerance of flatness for the track surface is 5mm over 2m. The coating is uniform in all its aspects over the entire track surface. The surface colour of the track must leave the track marking lines clearly visible.

All tracks have a standard set of markings. The longitudinal lines on the track above the blue band are 5cm wide and the perpendicular lines are 4cm wide. A rideable area, sky blue in colour, known as the blue band is provided along the inside edge of the track. No advertising inscription is permissible in this area.

With the exception of mounted riders, no person or object is allowed on the blue band while one or more riders are on the track. Immediately inside the blue band there is a prepared and marked safety zone.

The combined width of the blue band and the safety zone is at least 4m for tracks of m and over, and 2. With the exception of the commissaires, mounted riders or other persons authorised by the Chief Commissaire, no person or object including starting blocks are allowed inside the safety zone when a rider is on the track.

A fence at least cm high, is erected on the inner edge of the safety zone in the track centre. The fence is transparent and advertising boards are not allowed. In places where the level of the track proper is more than 1. The measurement line is black or white, to contrast with the track, and placed with its inner edge 20cm from the inner edge of the track.

It is marked off at every 5m and numbered at every 10m going counterclockwise from the finish line. The official length of the track is to be measured on the inner edge of this line. The sprinters line is red and placed with its outer edge 90cm from the inner edge of the track. The distance is measured to the inner edge of the red line. A blue line drawn at one third of the total width of the track or 2. The finish line is situated towards the end of one of the straights but at least a few metres before the entrance of the banking, and in principle in front of the main grandstand.

It is marked by a perpendicular black line 4cm wide at the centre of a white band 72cm in wide. The finish line marking on the track continues up to the top of the flat surface of the fencing.

A white line is drawn across the track m before the finish line, from which point the times are recorded for sprint events. Two red lines half the width of the track in length, perpendicular to the track and precisely in line with one another, are drawn at the precise midpoint of each of the straights to mark the finish points for pursuit events.

A road course may be from place to place, around a circuit, out and back or a combination of these. The course must not cross itself.

There must be no chance that riders have to cut through other groups of riders. In all road events a conspicuous marker denotes the final kilometre. Panels at the m, m, m m and 50m are recommended. Panels indicating the last 25, 20, 10, 5, 4, 3 and 2 km are recommended for all road races. In races ending on a circuit, only the last 3, 2 and 1 km are displayed. The finishing area is at least 8m wide and protected to prevent spectators from entering onto the course.

The last m is free of turns and curves. The finish line is perpendicular to the racecourse. For any championship event it is a black line between 4cm and 6cm wide painted in the middle of a 72cm wide white stripe. Individual road races are massed start races, in which all riders start from the same mark, or handicap races, in which starting positions are assigned in accordance with past performance to give all riders an equal chance at winning. If a circuit course is used for an individual road race, the distance is at least 5km per lap.

A criterium is a closed loop course entirely closed to traffic. The length of the course is between m and 5km. The minimum width throughout the course is 7m. Riders may only ride in a forward direction on the course but may dismount and run backward to a repair pit when it is safe to do so.

Courses may be out and back, around a circuit, or one way. Only out and back and circuit courses may be used for record purposes. Starting times are at equal intervals, normally one minute. Teams are made up of two or more riders. The distance, timing basis and number of riders who are required to finish is specified in the official race announcement. Times are based on any specified finishing position or on the sum of the times of any specified finishers.

Only out and back or circuit courses may be used for record purposes. The recommended minimum roadway width is 12m for an out and back course; otherwise a minimum of 8m is permitted. The turnaround point for an out and back course is where the roadway is wide enough to permit the riders and any following vehicles to turn smoothly.

A stage race is an event with a common entry, run on consecutive days and comprises a sequence of road races ie individual road races, time trials, criteriums. The overall results are determined by cumulative time or points.

Riders must successfully complete each stage in order to be eligible for the next one. The track is a compact, closed looped design, forming a circuit m to m long. The track is a minimum of 10m wide at the start and cannot taper to a width less than 5m at any point along the track.

The starting hill is at least 10m wide and 1. The initial incline extending from the starting gate to level grade is at least 12m long. The starting gate is 7. In this event, psychology tactics are applied before the race even starts; at the start line, opposing riders stare each other down through their mirror-finish lenses. Other tactics are also employed during the race to avoid taking the lead and bearing air resistance.

Sometimes a rider will do a track stand , which means coming to a complete standstill in the middle of the race, in an attempt to force their rival to come forward. However, the final lap is always an all-out sprint for the line. In the team sprint, two teams—two cyclists for the women and three for the men—each race three laps around the track. After every lap, the lead rider peels away and moves to the back of the paceline, allowing the next rider to face the air resistance.

In the case of a tie to the closest one-thousandth of a second , the team with the fastest time over the final lap is declared the winner. In the keirin, up to seven riders compete in a six-lap race.

It is not unusual to see some elbow-rubbing, shoulder bumping, and even high-speed crashes in this event. The team pursuit is a 4km race between two teams of four riders, who race to overtake the other team or beat their time. Each team starts out at opposite sides of the track, and, like in the team sprint, the riders take turns riding at the front. When the rider switches out, they swing right and up to slow down and get back into the rotation.

It is fascinating teamwork to watch, and one of the most beautiful and collaborative displays of speed you will see. The omnium is comprised of four bunch events: the scratch race, the tempo race, the elimination, and the points race.

Riders race all events on the same day and are awarded points for their finishing position in each event. During the fourth and final race, this total may increase or decrease according to the points won or lost by the rider in the points race. The winner is the rider with the highest total of points at the end of the points race. Scratch race: The most straightforward format—all the riders start together and race to be the first over the finish line.

The distance is 10km for men and 7. Tempo race: The riders race for 10km for men or 7. Riders can also earn 20 points by lapping the field. The winner is the rider with the most points. Riders wear transponders on their head tubes that light up if they are eliminated and signal that they must exit the track. Points race: The riders race for 30km men or 20km women , and are awarded points along the way.

You don't even need a bike — you can hire everything you need — so there's nothing stopping you from experiencing the fun of two wheels.

Try out an introduction to track cycling with a one hour taster session, or if you're already familiar with the velodrome track, why not go through the four-stage accreditation course to unlock more advanced coaching sessions? Alternatively, experience an adrenaline rush on the remodelled Olympic BMX track, with over 30 bumps, jumps and berms.

The floodlit one-mile road circuit is perfect for getting back on your bike if it's been a while. Or if you prefer to go off-road, there are 8km of traffic-free mountain bike trails on offer across terrain of varying difficulty levels. This really is a venue for everyone — amateurs and world champions.

There are programmes for people new to cycling, schools, clubs and community groups. Lee Valley VeloPark has the capacity to host a full range of cycling events and regularly hosts national and international events including 6 Day London and the World Cycling Championships.