Entry 68 Why should you watch…

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Why should you watch …….

I had to do some studying in order to make the most of the Gamesmaking experience. I was in the cycling team. Hence I really should learn about the various disciplines so I could at least appear to be knowledgeable. 

Why should you watch Road Race Cycling?

A typical road race is about 5 hours long with the results decided in a sprint at the last 500m. It is a team game therefore strategies play a big part in deciding the outcome. A sprinter is normally carried by the team within the peloton, which is the main group of cyclist. Various individuals with race winning ambition would try and form a break away group. Huge amount of energy are expended in forming the break away. The job of the peloton would be to chase down those breakaways. A bit likened to a shark chasing small fishes. Once the peloton catches the breakaway, those who tried to breakaway are less ‘fresh’ than those who are carried by the peloton. The winner is the first one cross the finishing line. 

Why should you watch Time Trial? 

Time Trial is an individual sport. It was a lap versus rider. Here the lap layout and endurance of the rider would affect the results. A hilly course would benefit a smaller lighter rider, whereas a flatter would circuit could benefit an individual with a higher top speed. Local knowledge of the course would also benefit to know when to push and recover. The conditions of the track could change as the race progresses as each rider start 90 seconds interval from each other. The first rider could have different conditions to the last rider. However, the start list are ranked therefore riders of similar abilities will start around the same time. The winner is one who post the quickest lap time.

Now moving into the Velodrome.

Why should you watch Sprint?

Sprint is a 1 on 1 race over 3 laps of the track. An Olympian can typically sprint at max speed for 500m. The length of the sprint is 750m. A highly tactical duel which the two riders are playing cat and mouse. Therefore the first lap is often very slow and if the sprint starts too early may mean the leading rider runs out of power and going too late may give opportunity of the latter rider to jump the start.

Why should you watch Team Sprint

Each country enters 3 riders. The two countries start on either side of the track. Each rider takes their turn to lead for one lap. Bike 1 (first bike) has an important role in reaching max speed as soon as possible with the others drafting (following behind) to conserve power for their respective turns to lead. The changeover at the banked turns are critical to maintain speed and positioning. The fastest time wins. 

Why should you watch Team Pursuit

Each team has 4 riders. The teams start on either side of the track and chase each other over 4km (men’s) or 3km (women’s). The winner is the one that closes the gap or the first team to the finish line. Bike 1 has the important job of powering the group to max speed and the others to maintain the speed. This race is about teamwork so smooth interchange at the banked turns are critical to distribute the work at the front among the team members. 

Why should you watch Keirin?

The riders start behind a pace setting motorised bike (derny) where they cannot overtake the derny. This provides a rolling start race format. The derny bike slowly increase the pace and withdraws with a lap and half left. The race becomes a sprint to the finish. Therefore racing  and positioning are key features of this discipline. 

Why should you watch Omnium?

This is a 6 discipline event which tests every aspect of a rider. The rider with the best balance between power, endurance and tactics will win. The six discipline is a 1 flying lap (fastest time over 1 lap), 2 points race which is some complicated system where points as scored for sprints every 10 laps and for lapping the field (most points is the winner). (mens do about 120 laps), 3 An elimination race with a sprint every 2 laps and the last rider is eliminated, 4 individual pursuit, 5 Scratch race which the first rider cross the line wins and 6 Time trial over 4 laps. The ranking provides the points. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points etc. The rider with the least amount of point wins!