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            Cycling Track

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            Rio Olympic Velodrome
            This adrenaline-fuelled sport that combines speed and tactics has been in the Paralympic programme since Atlanta 1996. In Rio, there are 17 medal events, with men and women competing individually or in mixed teams.
            Spectator's Guide - Cycling Track
            • Cycling Track

            About

            About

            Aim of the game

            Cyclists compete to achieve the fastest times on a banked oval 250-metre track

            Why should you watch this?

            Racing around the daunting Olympic velodrome track at G-force inducing speeds is just another challenge to be overcome by these fearless athletes on their aerodynamic bikes

            Venues

            Rio Olympic Velodrome

            International Federation

            UCI

            Paralympic debut

            Atlanta 1996

            Rules
            • Pilot

              Pilot

              Non-visually impaired cyclist who sits at the front and guides the bicycle in the tandem event

            • Aero Handlebar

              Aero Handlebar

              Type of handlebar used in time-trial events to make the cyclist's position more aerodynamic and improve performance

            • Vacuum

              Vacuum

              By pedalling behind other cyclists, riders benefit by protecting themsleves from the the wind

            Impress your friends

            • Para-cycling events became popular in the 1980s, but were restricted to visually impaired competitors

              Para-cycling events became popular in the 1980s, but were restricted to visually impaired competitors

            • Para-cycling first entered the velodrome on its Paralympic Games debut at Atlanta 1996, which also marked the inclusion of athletes with different kinds of impairment

              Para-cycling first entered the velodrome on its Paralympic Games debut at Atlanta 1996, which also marked the inclusion of athletes with different kinds of impairment

            • At the London 2012 Games, Britain's Sarah Storey broke the pursuit world record with a time of 3:32.170

              At the London 2012 Games, Britain's Sarah Storey broke the pursuit world record with a time of 3:32.170

            • Storey won five golds, eight silvers and three bronzes in swimming (1992-1996) before switching to cycling and taking six golds in Beijing and London

              Storey won five golds, eight silvers and three bronzes in swimming (1992-1996) before switching to cycling and taking six golds in Beijing and London

            • Great Britain and China won five golds at London 2012, although the British topped the table thanks to a further seven silvers and three bronzes

              Great Britain and China won five golds at London 2012, although the British topped the table thanks to a further seven silvers and three bronzes

            • Team-mates change positions in team events in order to share the advantage of riding in the slipstream of the leader – and the burden of leading

              Team-mates change positions in team events in order to share the advantage of riding in the slipstream of the leader – and the burden of leading

            • The ends of the track are banked so that the curves can be ridden safely at high speeds

              The ends of the track are banked so that the curves can be ridden safely at high speeds

            Events

            There are three types of races:

            TIME TRIALS: Each rider completes the time trial individually, which varies between 500m and 1000m.  The rider with the fastest time takes gold.

            PURSUIT: Two opponents start from opposite sides of the velodrome and complete a set distance (3 or 4km according to their category). The winner is the rider with the fastest time, or the one who catches up with their opponent.

            TEAM SPRINT: Disputed over three laps by teams of three cyclists who pedal one behind the other. Each team member must lead one lap, after which they leave the race. Competing teams start from opposite sides of the velodrome.

            Bikes

            Bikes can have adaptations like special handgrips and prostheses designed for racing. They are only allowed for upper limbs.

            Tandem bikes are used by visually impaired athletes, who sit at the back and provide the power in a role known as the ‘stoker’, while a sighted ‘pilot’ guide sits at the front and steers.

            Measuring line

            A black line that measures the length of the track. It is where the athletes position themselves to complete the time-trial events. The closer the athlete follows the chord, the shorter the distance run and the less time wasted.

            Stats

            Top Medalists

            Men
            GBR
            Darren Kenny             		5 1 1 7
            CZE
            Jiri Jezek             		3 3 1 7
            AUS
            Kieran Modra             		5 0 1 6
            Women
            GBR
            Aileen McGlynn             		3 2 1 6
            AUS
            Lindy Hou             		1 2 2 5
            GBR
            Ellen Hunter             		3 1 0 4

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