Welcome to Auckland Track Cycling  

With a shared love of all things track, Auckland Track Cycling is based at the Manukau Velodrome through the summer months and the Grassroots Trust Velodrome in Cambridge from time to time during the year.    

Whether you're new to the sport and just want to give it a go, or are keen on developing and competing at a National and International level, we'd love to have you JOIN US>>

 

 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE CALENDAR>>

 

For those of you completely new to the sport, but think that it looks like great fun (and you'd be right), here's a bit more info for you…

The Bikes: 

  • Track bikes are designed to be minimalistic, sturdy, and optimized for speed. 
  • They do not have brakes, gears, or a freewheel. 
  • When the back wheel is in motion, the pedals also turn. 
  • Speed is controlled by pedaling and by pushing back on the pedals. 
  • In some cases, disc wheels are used for aerodynamic purposes, despite being heavier and more expensive than wire-spoked wheels. 
  • To ensure a secure connection between the rider and the bike, step-in pedal systems or standard pedals with two sets of straps are used. 
  • It is crucial that riders cannot accidentally detach from the pedals and that power transfer is as efficient as possible. Therefore, riders wear shoes with extremely rigid soles.

 

The Riders:

Riders can be divided into two main categories:

  • Endurance racers require a high level of fitness, which is often measured by their VO2 Max, indicating their ability to use oxygen efficiently. 
  • On the other hand, sprinters focus on developing fast-twitch muscle fibres and train specifically for short distances, such as 200-1000m.

 

The Events:

Time Trials

Time Trials are where riders race against the clock. They ride alone on the track without anyone to provide a draft in front of them. This makes aerodynamics very important, and the use of disc wheels and time trial handlebars is common. Time trials (TTs) are regular events at Regionals & Nationals, as well as World Championships and Olympics. 

The Kilometre TT or 'Kilo' is three and a half laps (at the Manukau velodrome) and is considered by many to be the most painful event in track racing. From a held start, the rider will sprint at full effort for a little over a minute. By the start of the third lap, the rider is feeling the pain of lactic acid in his legs as his body has reached its limit. A good Kilo rider will force his body to keep up the speed till the end.  

The 500m TT is ridden by U17s and the Masters.  200m TTs are essentially a sprint with one rider at a time and are used for seeding a match sprint competition. The riders get two laps to accelerate at the top of the track before diving down the banking to the 200m mark. This flying 200 is timed from the 200m mark to the finish line.

The Individual Pursuit is a time trial where two riders start on opposite sides of the track and try to catch each other as they race.  Senior women typically race 3 km, and senior men race 4 km.  A variation is the Team Pursuit where teams of four riders chase each other around the track, and requires practice and precision teamwork. Another team event is the Team Sprint (ideal for sprinters) where 3 riders start, the first rider pulling off after 1 lap, the second rider after 2 laps, and the third rider finishing - an exciting and often close action packed event.  

 

Match Sprint

The sprint is a test of power, speed, and, most importantly, tactics. The initial phase of this 3-lap race is usually slow and highly strategic as riders compete for their desired position. Precise timing for the final burst towards the finish line can determine the outcome of the race. While it is typically a one-on-one event, earlier rounds may involve three or more cyclists on the track simultaneously. One rider is chosen to lead, often by drawing straws, and is not allowed to give up the lead for the first half of a lap, unless the riders behind overtake them.

The competitors usually size each other up for the first lap or two, attempting to manoeuvre each other into a disadvantaged position before making a sudden sprint to the finish line. Only the last 200m of the event are timed. Tactics are crucial in this race, and many people question why it is so slow for the first two laps. The primary reason is that unless you can catch your opponent off guard early, you will expend too much energy starting your sprint from the first lap. If another rider is behind you, they can gain a significant drafting advantage. It's important to follow the rule of 'possession' under the sprinter's line (red), which is marked 80 cm from the pole (black) line near the base of the track. A rider who positions themselves below this line in the final 200m is not allowed to be forced out by another rider, for example, by pushing in from the inside.

 

Keirin

Keirin is a race in which riders start from a held position and then follow a motorcycle until approximately 700m remaining. During the initial laps, riders compete for position but are prohibited from overtaking the motorcycle. The motorcycle gradually accelerates, reaching a maximum speed of 45km/h. With 2.5 laps remaining, the motorcycle exits the track, enabling the riders to sprint to the finish line.
 

Points Race

A Points Race is a type of race that includes a mass start and combines both sprinting and fast endurance racing. In this race, there are sprints for points every five to seven laps. A whistle is blown to indicate a sprint lap, and a bell is rung to signal the final sprint lap. Points are given based on the order in which riders finish the race (5-3-2-1 for first to fourth place), and any rider who laps the field earns an additional 20 points. However, if a rider is lapped by the main field, they will lose twenty points. The rider with the highest points at the end of the race is declared the winner. Races in UCI Championships can be as long as 40km and require a variety of tactics that balance conserving energy with making strategic attacks to maximize the potential to earn points.
 

Scratch Race

This is the most simple track cycling competition. Participants begin together, race a predetermined distance, and the rider who reaches the finish line first is the winner.  

 

Madison

A Madison is a fast-paced, two-person relay race that continues without interruption. One partner races while the other rests, slowly cycling around the top of the track. The alternating between racing and resting helps maintain high speeds. Points are awarded for sprints during the race and for lapping the field. The exchange between the racer and the rester happens with the racer propelling their partner in a slingshot style handover. This type of track cycling is extremely popular in Europe and originated at Madison Square Gardens, which is why it is called the Madison. Currently, New Zealand is very successful in this event on the international stage.
 

Elimination

Sometimes referred to as the Miss and Out or 'devil take the hindmost', this race eliminates the last rider at the end of each lap until only two riders are left. The final two riders then compete in a sprint to determine the winner. The most thrilling moments of this event can be found at the back of the field, so be sure to keep an eye on it.

Handicap Race

Riders start at different points on the track based on their ability. The race is held over different distances, with three or six laps being the most common. The fastest riders start from the back, while the slower riders often get a head-start of nearly a lap. The first rider to cross the finish line is the winner.