velodromes

Velodromes are specialized arenas for track cycling, featuring an oval, banked track on which cyclists race. They host a range of events, from high-speed sprints to longer endurance races, and can be indoor or outdoor.

Most modern velodromes are indoor facilities with wooden tracks. The majority of current competitive tracks are 250 meters in length, though some venues use longer configurations such as 333.3 or 400 meters. Bank angles on the turns are steep enough to allow riders to maintain high speeds through the corners, reducing the need for braking and enabling faster racing.

Common events held in velodromes include individual and team sprints, pursuits (individual and team), points races, scratch races, keirin, Madison, and the omnium, a multi-race competition that tests speed, endurance, and taktical skill. In addition to professional competitions, velodromes host national championships, training sessions, and community cycling programs.

History and development: The modern velodrome evolved as track cycling gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with dedicated venues built to accommodate racing and spectator viewing. Over the decades, track dimensions, safety standards, and indoor wooden-track construction were standardized under governing bodies such as the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), contributing to consistent international competition.

Notable examples include the London Olympic Park Velodrome, built for the 2012 Games, which features a 250-meter wooden track, and the Vélodrome National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines near Paris, another prominent contemporary velodrome. Velodromes continue to serve as central facilities for elite competition as well as training centers for cyclists worldwide.