track cycling western australiavelodrome riding handbook

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contents pageintroduction 2

the velodrome 4

rules for passing 6

riding rules 7

safetY rules 8

hoW to ride a track bike 9

rules & conditions of use for the velodrome 10

track racing 11

images courtesY tony lendrum photography + steve lloyd + mal matthews

the 250m speeddome velodrome was officially opened by the premier of Western australia, mr peter dowding, in november 1987.

it is a valuable facility that helps define the city of perth as a world class cycling destination.perth boasts plenty of good roads and cycle paths in the surrounding hills and flat lands upon which riders can train. the speeddome adds to this, and teaches riders many skills that can be transferred to road and off road cycling. amongst these skills are smoother pedaling, good balance, core stability and great bike handling.

to access the speeddome, enter via eddie barron drive, midvale. for training and coaching classes, take the left hand car park and enter the venue via the “competitors’ entrance”. on special occasions the main entrance doors will be opened for spectator access.

training sessions cost between $10 and $20 per session, depending on the structure and supervision of the particular session. corporate sessions can be booked by contacting track cycling Western australia direct, trackcyclingwa@ozemail.com.au

po box 3021 midland Wa 6056phone: 08 9496 0053 mobile: 0408 881282email: trackcyclingwa@ozemail.com.auWebsite: www.trackcyclingwa.com.auabn: 25 458 078 956

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4. track cycling western australia riding the velodrome handbook track cycling western australia riding the velodrome handbook .5

guidelines and passing rules

markings on the velodrome

at the bottom of the track there is a wide green area. this is known as the apron and is a flat area adjacent to the racing surface of the velodrome. it is used as a transition area for getting on and off the track, or as a warm up area if there is no racing taking place.

run off section, also known as the cote d’azur because of its blue colour, is used as the inside of the track for normal racing, although no racing actually takes place in this area. it is considered as a transition area to build up speed to allow a rider to move onto the steeper track surface or wash off speed when coming off the track proper. riders should not linger on the light blue area for safety reasons.

plan view

start/finish line

corner sectionblue staYer’s line separates track for team races

red sprinter’s line

12 degrees banking (min)

cote d’azur line: no cYcleblack line

defines track length: 250m (820ft) optimum race line

steep turn

to straight

43 degrees banking (min)

the velodrome

the next line is black. it is called the datum line and is used to measure the track circumference. it can also be called the pursuit line because riders in this event will follow it closely since it marks the shortest distance around the track. riders also use this line for kilometre races and time trials.

the next line is the red sprinter’s line, and is used to define the sprinter’s lane. the lane is the area between the red and black lines. When a group of riders start a sprint, the first rider into the sprinter’s lane is given possession of the lane. no rider can try to pass underneath or on the inside of this rider: they must pass on the outside. once a rider is in this lane they cannot come out of the lane if someone is adjacent to them.

blue stayer’s line: during warm-up and training events, slower riders are expected to stay below this line, leaving the upper part of the track for fast training or riding.

the finish line for most events is on the home straight just before the first corner. in addition, a 200 metre line is also marked, to indicate the start of the timed section of the flying 200m sprint qualifier.

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riding rules

• always look over your right shoulder and check the track is clear before changing lines.• When riding in a training line, ride in a straight, smooth and predictable manner. on the

track riders follow each other very closely, so maintaining a constant speed is vital to everyone’s safety.

• position yourself just slightly to the right (above) the rider directly in front. this allows a rider to move up the track should an accident occur.

• if an accident occurs in front of you, be prepared for the rider directly in front to move up the track. a fallen rider will always fall down the track’s slope – so it is important to always be prepared to move up to avoid accidents.

• When at the front of the paceline, move off to your right just before a corner. When moving from this position, flick your right elbow to let the person behind know that you are giving up the lead spot.

• let the paceline pass below you and then position yourself at the back of the group behind the last rider.

• if warming down, or warming up with other riders on the track, try to ride below the blue line.

• When lapping at speed, alone or in a group through and off, use the area above the blue line.

• if practicing sprinting (alone or in a group) use the whole of the track, but make sure other riders are aware and try to set up the sprint so you have a clear run to the finish. hold your line after you finish.

• if you want to swing out of the group before your turn at the front, indicate to the rider behind you with a flick of your elbow or a hand signal.

rules For passing

• normally you pass above slower moving riders, i.e., on their right.

• When passing you may shout “right” which lets the slower rider know you are passing, and that they must hold their line.

• on occasion you may have to pass riders to their left, in this case you should shout “left” for the same reasons.

• if you hear a rider shouting “left” or “right” behind you, hold your line.

• always communicate with other riders to make them aware of your presence.

• never use the cote d’azur to pass another rider on the inside.

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how to ride a track bike

a track bike has no brakes and a single fixed gear. a fixed gear means that if you try to stop pedalling, the combined momentum of you and the bike will force your legs to continue turning, because there is no freewheel mechanism, just a direct drive. track cycling Western australia advises that to pedal a fixed wheel properly you must:• control your speed by steadily increasing or decreasing pressure on the pedals,• pedal in complete circles by applying an even pressure throughout the pedal stroke,• keep a constant leg speed (cadence),• keep your upper body still, be relaxed and concentrate on your legs,• do not try to stop suddenly. slow down gradually.

recommended gear sizes for training are:48x15: crank length 165 or 170mm.

individual, group, or corporate coaching sessions can be organized. for more information or further questions contact:track cycling Western australiaemail: trackcyclingwa@ozemail.com.auor visit www.trackcyclingwa.com.au

for further information about road riding in Western australia contact:cyclesport Western australiaemail: info@westcycle.org.auor visit www.wa.cycling.org.au

saFety rules

• the safety of yourself and others comes first at all times.

• helmets and track gloves must be worn at all times and must be securely fastened.

• do not use offensive language.• both hands should be on the handlebars at all times.• be responsible for the safety of the bicycle you

are riding.• While riding on the track be observant and

considerate of other riders.• bring enough water/fluids for your session as you

tend to dehydrate more on a velodrome than you would on the road.

• always ride in a straight line.• do not ride slowly at the top of the track as the risk

of sliding is much greater at slower speeds.• it is not permitted to cross the track on foot, to gain

entrance to the spectator stands. entrance is via the tunnel.

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rules & conditions oF use For the velodrome

a. conditions

1. management is not responsible for personal injury or for damage to personal property.2. the track is for the use of bicycles only. skateboards, inline skates or other such equipment

are expressly forbidden on the timber track surface.3. riders will conduct themselves in a proper fashion.4. management reserves the right to ask those who act inappropriately to leave the premises.

b. general rules

1. helmets and gloves must be worn at all times whilst riding on the velodrome.2. the direction of riding is counter clockwise (i.e., from left to right as you face the velodrome

from the grandstand).3. no riding is permitted if the track surface is wet.4. riders should ride a straight line and always check behind when changing positions on

the track.5. no person under the age of eight is permitted on the track unless under the tuition of a

cycling coach. riders in the 8-14 years age group must be accredited by a cycling coach if riding without qualified supervision.

6. all users must make themselves familiar with the guidelines and passing rules published in this booklet.

7. fixed wheel track bikes are the only machines allowed on the track.8. mtb, or road machines are not allowed on the track, except if ridden by children 14 years

or younger under qualified supervision.

track racing

track racing dates back to the end of the nineteenth century. the first world championships were held in 1895. track cyclists are powerful athletes, generally with far more muscle bulk than “road racers”.

there are ten events, divided into three families:

sprint events

individual sprint (part oF the olympic programme)Qualification consists of flying start 200m time trials. these are followed by knockout heats of two to three laps. the best two riders fight it out in the final. sometimes riders will come to a standstill in an effort to make their opponent take the lead, which is the least advantageous position before the final sprint to the finish line.

team sprint (olympic programme)this speciality is raced by teams of three riders over three laps of the track (for women, two riders over two laps). each rider leads for a lap before dropping back. after the heats, the two best teams line up to contest the final. those who registered the third and fourth fastest times meet up in a b final which decides the last place available on the podium.

kilometre (or 500m For women)this is an individual time trial from a standing start. the competitor with the fastest time is the winner.

keirin (olympic programme)keirin racing originated in Japan. between three and seven riders compete in a sprint race of 600-700m after having followed in the slipstream of a pacing motorbike for the first 1,400m. the motorbike gradually increases the speed from 30 to 50km/h (25 to 45km/h for women).

endurance events

individual pursuittwo riders start on opposite sides of the track and compete over 4km (3km for women). the winner is the rider who manages to catch his/her opponent or who records the fastest time.

team pursuit (olympic programme)two teams of four riders start on opposite sides of the track and compete over 4km. the winning team is the one that manages to catch its opponents or that records the fastest time.

points racethe final result is determined according to points gained during sprints (one every 10 laps on a 250m track) and by laps won. at the uci World championships, the distance is 40km for men and 25km for women.

madisonup to 18 teams of two riders take part in this relay race contested by means of intermediary sprints. While one team member races, the other slows down to take a rest. the classification is established according to the distance covered and the points won in the sprints. the madison is held over distances of 25-50km for elite men depending on the competition.

scratch racethis is a race for up to 24 individual riders over 15km for men and 10km for women. the first lap is neutralised.

combined events

omnium (olympic programme)the omnium is made up of six events and is disputed over two consecutive days.

the final classification is established as follows: the points accumulated by the riders over the first five events, on the basis of the points scale in force, are added up. during the sixth and final race, this total may increase or decrease according to the points won or lost by the rider. the winner is the rider who has the highest total of points at the end of the sixth event.

www.trackcyclingwa.com.au

midvale speeddomeeddie barron drive. midvale. western australia