Track cycling
Track is one of the purest forms of bike racing. With no brakes, gears or potholes to worry about, all a track rider needs to concentrate on is beating their opponents. It is an ideal place for a young cyclist to start as a banked cycling track provides a traffic and pedestrian free environment on which to learn key cycling skills and tactics.
>>> Read more about Olympic cycling
There are many different types of races on the track - several of which are explained in our guide to track racing - all of which will be classified as either a sprint or endurance event. Like road cycling, it means there's a race to suit every type of rider - except climbers.
Although track racing doesn't have the major annual events like the Tour de France to boost its appeal, it is the cornerstone of cycling in the Olympic movement with events such as the team pursuit and sprint dating back to the the early 19 hundreds. The International calendar of World Cups runs through the winter, culminating with the world championships in February or March, while events on outdoor tracks continue through the summer, making it a year-round sport.
Key riders: Laura Trott (GBR) | Jason Kenny (GBR) | Sir Bradley Wiggins (GBR) | Anna Meares (AUS) | Francois Pervis (FRA)
Key reading: British Cycling's lottery funded revolution | Sir Chris Hoy's medal tally
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Factor's unreleased aero bike is outrageous - but we should've seen this design coming
Wide forks are a common sight on the track. Will their success transfer over to the road?
By Tom Davidson Published
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Vittoria Bussi breaks UCI Hour Record for third time, dedicates it to her two cats
History-making 38-year-old betters own benchmark by almost 200m
By Tom Davidson Published
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'It can really push me along' - How a velodrome comeback is making Caleb Ewan faster on the road
Australian says he'll "definitely" continue track work after rekindling passion
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I wanted to be world and Olympic champion – my parents made me feel that it was possible': Meet Sophie Capewell and her gold medal-winning mum
Some mothers and daughters make memories together. The world-beating Capewells make history too. Tom Davidson meets the extraordinary duo
By Tom Davidson Published
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'They thought I was dying' - Meet the 80-year-old Brit who won four world titles weeks after leaving hospital
A serious health scare couldn't keep Olympic track cyclist Geoff Cooke away from the boards
By Tom Davidson Published
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UCI Track Champions League cancelled after four years
Commitment to track cycling series proves short-lived as it is axed prematurely
By Tom Davidson Published
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Matthew Richardson breaks world record, UCI rules it out
Brit's flying 200m time voided after exiting the track during his effort
By Tom Davidson Published
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Why hasn't GB sent a full squad to this year's only Track Nations Cup?
Eight riders will represent GB in Turkey this weekend, with the women's endurance squad left at home
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I want to inspire young girls' - Olympic champion Emma Finucane on being a role model for the next generation
22-year-old hopes to encourage new track cyclists in the run-up to the LA Olympics in 2028
By Tom Davidson Published
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Matthew Richardson seals clean sweep on British National Track Championships debut
"Being part of the racing makes me feel British," says Richardson, who previously represented Australia
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I completely blew my doors' - Katie Archibald wins first national track title in six years
Double Olympic champion enjoys "nice reset" on National Track Championships return
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I almost didn't race' - Amateur with broken elbow wins gold medal at National Track Championships
Niall Monks defied doctor's orders to win his first national title
By Tom Davidson Published
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'It's going to keep coming down' - Anna Morris breaks world record for a third time in the individual pursuit
World and European champion adds national title to her honours
By Tom Davidson Published
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'Five or six WorldTour teams asked for my data' - Interest grows around world record breaker without a road team
Josh Charlton says there's "definitely interest" in his signature
By Tom Davidson Published
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'The group of haters is so small' - Matthew Richardson on nationality swap criticism and returning to Australia
Track sprinter says he won't let critics beat him down in first full season as a Brit
By Tom Davidson Published
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Anna Morris breaks world record twice to claim individual pursuit European title
"I just tried to dig really deep," says Brit after nailing "super special" ride
By Tom Davidson Published
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Josh Charlton wins individual pursuit gold at European Track Championships
Great Britain on nine medals ahead of the closing weekend
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I really don't know how this has happened' - Katie Archibald set for National Track Championships return after six-year absence
Double Olympic champion is "ready to rebuild" towards the Los Angeles Games in 2028
By Tom Davidson Published
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Former Olympic omnium champion set for track comeback after horror crash
Matt Walls will compete at the European Track Championships next weekend
By Tom Davidson Published
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I was told I'd never ride a bike again, now I hold 12 cycling world records
Former US Olympic hopeful Ryan Collins is a master of six-hour challenges
By Tom Davidson Published
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British junior sensation clean sweeps events at track competition
Erin Boothman 'excited for what's to come' after perfect season opener
By Tom Davidson Published
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Katy Marchant breaks arm in horror crash into crowd at Track Champions League
Event's final round cancelled and spectators told to leave following incident
By Tom Davidson Last updated
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'Just words on a piece of paper' - Matthew Richardson responds to Australia ban and sanctions
Track sprinter who switched nationality to GB hopes fallout can be 'put to bed'
By Tom Davidson Published
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Olympian Matthew Richardson banned for life by Australia
Track sprinter swapped nationality following Paris Olympics, and now competes for Great Britain
By Tom Davidson Published
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'It's actually happening' - Matthew Richardson set for GB debut after nationality swap
25-year-old will race under British flag for first time at UCI Track Champions League
By Tom Davidson Published
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Six-day events no longer have to last six days, UCI rules
Regulation update gives track racing organisers more freedom over duration
By Tom Davidson Published
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90-year-old cyclist sets sights on four world records
Three-time Masters world champion Walter Fowler is far from ready to slow down yet
By Tom Davidson Published
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'I will hopefully not be forgotten': How Jeffrey Hoogland broke track sprinting's oldest record
Last October, Jeffrey Hoogland roared to a new kilometre time trial world record. Tom Davidson spoke to the Dutchman and his team to find out what it took
By Tom Davidson Published
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London 3 Day live stream: Watch Sunday's action on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Watch live as track cycling stars go head-to-head at the Lee Valley Velodrome
By Tom Davidson Published