Bahnrennen

Bahnrennen, meaning track racing, is a form of competitive cycling conducted on an oval velodrome. Races take place on banked wooden or composite tracks commonly 200 to 250 meters in modern venues, though longer tracks exist. Cyclists ride fixed-gear bicycles with no brakes and rely on speed, strategy, and bike handling to win across formats.

Events are split into sprint disciplines and endurance disciplines. Sprint events include the individual sprint and team sprint, which prioritize speed and tactics. Endurance events include the individual pursuit, team pursuit, points race, and scratch race, which cover longer distances and involve breakaways and point sprints. The keirin places riders behind a pacing motorcycle for several laps before a sprint to the finish. The madison is a team event with two riders alternating leading and circling for points. Time trials such as the kilometer (men) or 500m/1000m test raw speed on solo laps.

Bahnrennen is governed internationally by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and features in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the Olympic Games. National federations organize domestic programs and national championships, feeding athletes into the international calendar.

Track racing began in the late 19th century in Europe, with velodromes central to the sport’s development. Through the 20th and 21st centuries, equipment, track design, and training methods improved speed and safety, and Bahnrennen emphasizes tactical variety and track craft as much as raw power.