There are more world championship and Olympic medals available to be won in track cycling than all the other cycling disciplines combined. There are 10 Olympic track cycling events —five for men and five for women in London 2012. They will be held in London in the specifically-built racing velodrome. With the increasing popularity of cycling more people are learning what a velodrome is.
Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights. The straights transition to the circular turn through a moderate easement curve. Bicycles for velodromes have no brakes. They employ a single fixed rear gear, or cog, that does not freewheel. This helps maximize speed, reduces weight and avoids sudden braking while nevertheless allowing the rider to slow by pushing back against the pedals.
Inside Olympic Velodrome
Olympic organizers wanted the world’s fastest track and so they have designed the track’s geometry and building to make that possible. At its steepest point the Olympic track angles 42 degrees. The inside of the dome has also been configured with special internal conditions to keep the temperatures and air completely still to optimize the chances of records being broken. Maximum speeds will be in excess of 120 kph. Riders must maintain a speed of at least 30 kph on the corner banks just to keep upright.
New to Olympic Track Cycling is a race called the Omnium. In this race each rider must compete in and complete six separate races. Three races are each held on two consecutive days with three races each day. Men’s races are August 4th and 5th and the women races August 6th and 7th. The distances vary from a single 250 meter lap of the Velodrome track to a 16 kilometer race for men, and 10 kilometer race for women.
So now that you are an expert check out the track cycling its an exciting event to watch. Olympic track racing is from August 2-7.
I am a firefighter and cancer survivor circumnavigating the globe by bicycle for breast, prostate, and lung cancer charity. The posted blogs are my personal opinion and thoughts.
If you have a story you would like to share rudypospisil75@hotmail.com or my global ride site www.thirty4three.com if want to read my blogs sign up on twitter @copsfire, or RSS feed here
