This is the single most ridiculous, crazy, chaos-ridden bike race there ever is. It is quite obviously my favourite race.
Riders are in teams of two, one actively in the race, one ‘recovering’ at the top of the track, awaiting their next involvement.
To swap who is active and inactive, riders have to touch one another – it technically could be as simple as touching your teammate’s hip but most opt for the handsling.
Similar to the points race during the omnium, there are sprints but these happen every 20 laps, with the same amount of five, three, two and one going to the first four teams across the line. Riders can also gain a lap to get a 20 point bonus to their total.
This event is primarily chaotic because of the constant changing of the riders – and there’s even one race judge whose job it is to point at where the front of the race is when it comes past to help people trackside keep up-to-date.
The team with the most points by the end of the race wins, but you need the perfect blend of sprinting ability and endurance, as well as tactical nous.
Key word to listen out for:
- Handsling; the incoming rider will hold their left hand behind themselves whilst riding and it’s up to the currently active rider to grab it with their right hand, then let their right hand go back before launching their teammate into the race at full force, transferring their speed to their incoming teammate to continue the race for them.
The Cycling Track program is from 5th August to 11th August.
The Women’s madison is on the 9th August.
The men’s madison takes place the day after on 10th August.