This is the ultimate in head-to-head racing.
Two riders compete in a three-lap race, where the first two laps usually consist of jockeying for position with riders vying to gain the upper hand with regards to their own tactical plan.
Then the riders will unleash their sprint to ensure they’re the first across the line.
Rounds are typically contested as a ‘best of three’, so win two individual races against your opponent to make it through to the next round.
However, it’s better for energy conservation to get through by winning both races and not needing the third decisive round.
Favourites for this race in the men’s are Harrie Lavreysen and Nicholas Paul from the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. In the women’s you should back Germany’s Emma Hinze or GB’s Emma Finucane.
Key words to listen out for:
- Côte d’azur; the strip of bright blue at the bottom of the track that is officially not part of the track and therefore out of bounds.
- Track stand; where the riders utilise the bikes and the velodrome banking to come to a standstill, daring the other rider to give in and take the lead position,. This is something which some riders don’t want for tactical reasons so they can benefit from their opponent’s slipstream.
- Slipstream; when a rider is in front. Riders directly behind can benefit from drafting behind in their slipstream, which can be used to save energy and then burst past your opponent
The Cycling Track program is from 5th August to 11th August.
The men’s sprint is from the 7th to 9th August.
The women’s runs from 9th to 11th August.
