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Sport	Cycling
Name	Track Racing
Subtitle	Vive la Difference!
Number	04-05
Info	Track events are usually confined to highly banked wood or concrete tracks reserved specifically for bicycle races. The track length is generally 333.33 m (360 yards). Sprint: Generally 1 km (1,090 yards) races with 2 or 3 racers over 2 or 3 laps of the track. During the first 1 or 2 laps the racers jockey for position in preparation for the last lap, which is the only one that is timed. In the quarter finals, the field is narrowed by direct elimination. In the finals of championship races, the competition involves 2 heats and an elimination race if necessary. The racers begin on the same line, and the lead position is chosen by lot. This type of race demands agility, speed, and strategy. A competitor can sometimes take advantage of being behind the lead racer, utilizing the element of surprise, but the leader can sometimes force the man behind him to commit a tactical mistake through intricate maneuvers. Any heat can be rerun in case of false starts, falls, blowouts, or mechanical problems. Kilometer Time Trial: A difficult category open only to amateurs in official competition. Each racer has his own individual start and races against the clock. The world open-air record holders include Niels Fredborg of Denmark with a 1:04.49 on Dec. 12, 1973, at Mexico City. World covered- track record holders include Patrick Sercu of Belgium, with 1:06.76 on Dec. 12, 1964, in Brussels. At the 1968 Olympics, Pierre Trentin of West Germany was clocked at 1:03.91, but the time was not recognized as an official record. Individual Pursuit - Two riders start on opposite sides of the track and race over a distance of 3 km for women, 4 km for men, and 5 km for professionals. The rider that gets overtaken is eliminated, and if neither rider catches the other, the one with the better time wins. Team Pursuit: Similar to individual pursuit, this event involves teams of 4 racers on a 4 km track. The time of the 3rd racer in each team decides the winners. A team finishing with only two racers is eliminated.
Photo Info	Track racers who capture the public's imagination—E. Merckx and P. Sercu
Copyright	© 1977, Editions Rencontre S.A., Lausanne Photo Presse-Sports-Explorer Printed in Japan 03 005 04-05