2. 2. track cycling western australia riding the velodrome handbook track cycling western australia riding the velodrome handbook .3
contents page
introduction 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 6056
Phone: 08 9496 0053 Mobile: 0408 881282
Email: trackcyclingwa@ozemail.com.au
Website: www.trackcyclingwa.com.au
ABN: 25 458 078 956
proudly supported by
www.trackcyclingwa.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/#!/TrackCyclingWA printed by quality press
3. 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 section
blue stayer’s line sepArates
track for team races
red sprinter’s line
12 degrees
banking (min)
cote d’azur line: no cycle
black 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 Australia
Email: trackcyclingwa@ozemail.com.au
or visit www.trackcyclingwa.com.au
For further information about road riding in Western Australia contact:
CycleSport Western Australia
Email: info@westcycle.org.au
or 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 PURSUIT
Two 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 RACE
The 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.
MADISON
Up 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 RACE
This 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.
