HISTORY OF TRACK CYCLING

Track cycling dates back to at least 1870.

Evolution since 1870

Early events took place on velodromes similar to those used today, featuring two straights and slightly banked turns, though these early tracks varied more in length and material compared to the modern 250 m tracks.

Indoor track racing quickly gained popularity due to its ability to control spectators and charge entrance fees, making it a profitable sport. Early track races attracted crowds of up to 2,000 people and enabled year-round cycling for the first time. Key early centres for track racing in Britain included Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, and London.

Over more than a century, the most noticeable changes in track cycling have been in the bikes themselves, now engineered to be lighter and more aerodynamic to achieve faster times.

Track cycling has been featured in every modern Olympic Games except the 1912 Games. Women's track cycling events were first included in the Olympics in 1988. Since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the sport has been held indoors to avoid hot weather conditions.

Track lengths have gradually reduced over the decades. Early velodromes varied between 130 and 500 metres. By the 1960s to 1989, a standard length of 333.333metres was commonly used for international competitions. Since 1990, international velodromes have been built with a length of 250 metres, though tracks of many lengths are still in use.

Spread across Europe and America

Track cycling is especially popular in Europe, notably in Belgium, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It often serves as off-season training for road racers who frequently participate in professional six-day events, where races are entered by two-rider teams.