Known as the velodrome, the track cycling track provides a spectacle for spectators and plays a crucial role in racing.
The elevated track in track cycling, known as a velodrome, is uniquely designed to meet the specific demands of the sport. This elevation of the track in the corners plays a crucial role in the dynamics of the races.
Tilt and banked turns
The most notable feature of a velodrome is the steepness of the turns, which can be as steep as 45 degrees. The straights are also slightly steep, but much less steep than the turns. This design allows cyclists to maintain high speeds safely. When a cyclist takes a banked turn at high speed, the centrifugal force is offset by the steepness of the turn, which helps maintain tire grip on the track and prevents cyclists from sliding outward.
Maintaining high speeds
Velodromes are designed to allow cyclists to maintain extremely high speeds. The inclination of the turns is essential for this. The slope allows you to take the curves without losing speed, or even increasing it. This allows cyclists to exploit their power and aerodynamics to the maximum, and emerge in front of their opponents on the sloping turns. The challenge is to use this specificity at the right moment in the race.
Optimization of athletic and tactical performance
The track’s elevated design also offers tactical advantages. Riders can use the slope to gain speed on the descents of the corners, which can be a strategic advantage for attacks and sprints. The variations in the slope allow riders to exploit different racing lines for tactical overtaking.
Show and visibility
For spectators, a raised track improves visibility of the races. The banked turns allow the entire track to be clearly seen from almost any vantage point in the velodrome, making the experience more captivating. This contributes to the appeal of track cycling as a spectacular sport.