Your Australian preview of the Olympic track cycling

The last discipline of the Paris 2024 cycling program has arrived – it's track time. 

There are 11 medal opportunities on offer for Australia over the next seven days at Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. 

Read on to learn all about track cycling at Paris 2024. 

Key details – Track cycling 

• Dates: Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 11 
• Events: Six (Team sprint, team pursuit, Madison, sprint, keirin, omnium) 
• Australians: 13 
• • Men sprint: Leigh Hoffman, Matthew Richardson, Matthew Glaetzer 
  • Women sprint: Kristina Clonan 
  • Men endurance: Oliver Bleddyn, Conor Leahy, Kell O’Brien, Sam Welsford 
  • Women endurance: Georgia Baker, Sophie Edwards, Chloe Moran, Alexandra Manly, Maeve Plouffe 

Schedule 

For a comprehensive daily planner, head to our Schedule page. 

But vital medal day info is below, lined up with each event Australia is competing in:  

• Men’s team sprint: Tuesday, August 6 
• Men’s team pursuit: Wednesday, August 7 
• Women’s team pursuit: Wednesday, August 7 
• Men’s omnium: Thursday, August 8 
• Women’s keirin: Thursday, August 8 
• Men’s sprint: Friday, August 9 
• Women’s Madison: Friday, August 9 
• Men’s Madison: Saturday, August 10 
• Men’s keirin: Sunday, August 11 
• Women’s sprint: Sunday, August 11 
• Women’s omnium: Sunday, August 11 

What they said 

Matthew Glaetzer: “I have had a lot of thought about this being my last Olympics and it definitely will be my last shot. This will be my last Olympics. 

“I’m really looking forward to making the most of it with the team and I think we've got a really good shot at doing something special. I want to end (my Olympic career) on a high note. 

“From my perspective, I mean, I always see the Dutch as the favourites and they're always a powerhouse to beat but we have beaten them before. 

“We're just making sure that we are going to go as fast as possible and that's all we can control. 

“We are setting ourselves up for success and as long as we execute that then we'll let the result play out as it does. 

“We've been in a really tough spot as a team (for selection) because we've got four exceptional guys who can do the job. 

“Tom (Cornish) has been for me, probably the best thing for my career in the last few years because he's really pushed me. He's really made me step up and continue to improve, and I wouldn't be here without him and vice versa I feel. 

“We've been pushing each other all this time in a really supportive way because we know what the team can do and we just want the best for the team.” 

Georgia Baker: “I love Paris. I’ve got a lot of good memories there, especially on the velodrome. 

“I have three opportunities to hopefully take away a gold medal and perform really well. 

“I feel like, in a way, there is more pressure on the events where I have my teammates because I need to support them, and I want to make sure I'm going the best I can for them. 

“I feel a lot more relaxed, and it just feels a little bit different this time around, which is a nice feeling.” 

Sam Welsford: “The aero package we’ve been working on this cycle has been a lot better. The knowledge is there now, and we know how important it is. 

“I think with all things considered, you just have to buy into what you have and can’t get sucked into what other teams have. 

“Me and Kell have raced more times together than I can count in the Madison, so for us it’s just about getting that clicking again and getting on the same length. 

“We’ve done a lot of work in the lead-in camp ... and it’s a big focus for us because we know we have a bit more road engine now and we can use that in that race to really be competitive. I’m really looking forward to lining up with him there and giving it a red-hot crack.” 

Characteristics of Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines 

• Length: 250 metres  
• Width: 8 metres  
• Surface: Siberian wood  
• Bends: Maximum 43.8 degrees  
• Straights: Maximum 13 degrees 

How it works 

There are several different events within track cycling and athletes can be typically categorised as an endurance rider or a sprint rider. There are currently six track cycling events in the Olympic program. 

Team sprint: This is effectively a short team time trial over three laps contested by teams of three riders. All three set off at the same time and quickly form a line in their designated order. The first rider will lead the team around the entire first lap before peeling off and allowing the next rider to take up the pace. This process happens again at the end of the second lap with just one rider crossing the line on the final lap to record the team’s time. The fastest team wins. 

Team pursuit: Two teams of four riders start from opposite sides of the track for the team pursuit (TP). The team’s time is recorded when the front wheel of the third rider’s bike crosses the finish line. Riders in the TP follow each other closely in a line (drafting) to minimise aerodynamic drag. If one of the riders cannot finish, the team may continue with three riders. Usually, this is a tactical decision, and you rarely see four riders finish together. TPs at an elite level are raced over 4000m. If a team is caught, the race is over, unless the catching team is riding for a time. 

Keirin: The keirin sees riders follow a derny (motorbike) which gradually speeds up over three laps. It then pulls off the track leaving the riders to sprint to the finish over the remaining three laps. 

Sprint: A sprint competition starts with a flying 200-metre sprint that enables the seeding of riders from fastest to slowest. Match sprints then follow between two riders battling against each other over three laps. The riders start side-by-side and try to manoeuvre themselves into the best position. Sometimes they will ride slowly or weave up and down the banking as they try to pressure their opponent into making a mistake, or to gain their preferred position (whether that be leading or following). Eventually, they will start sprinting and the first rider over the finish line at the end of three laps is the winner.  

Madison: Teams of two compete, with only one rider from each duo active at any time, the other resting by riding at a slower place further up the track’s banking. To swap status they tag each other as they pass – anywhere on the track, as often as they want with a handsling to provide momentum to the incoming partner. Points are gained for placings in intermediate sprints throughout the race, and for lapping the rest of the field. The team with the most points wins. 

Omnium: The omnium is a four-race event comprising of a scratch race, tempo race, elimination race and points race. Riders accumulate points through the first three events from their finish position, with 40 points awarded to the winner, 38 for second, 36 for third and so on. The final points race is raced as a typical points race, with points on offer for lap gains, intermediate sprints every 10 laps and the final sprint. The rider with the most points at the end of four races wins. 

How to watch 

You can watch the Olympic Games track cycling live and free on the Nine Network – whether on television (Channel 9, Gem or 9Go!), or live streaming on 9Now.