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Cycling

Olympic cycling includes both individual and team competitions over different types of terrain. Olympic cycling has three distinct categories: "road racing," "track racing," and "mountain biking." Track events occur on steeply banked tracks called "velodromes." Road racing is racing on paved roadways. Mountain bike racing takes place off-road.

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The Races
In time trials, competitors race against the clock to record the fastest time. In this all-out race, a cyclist is said to have "hit the wall" when his or her legs can no longer pedal at a rapid pace.

Match sprints are three laps, with riders seeded on the basis of a 200-meter time trial. In pursuit races, two cyclists or teams of cyclists start off on opposite sides of the track. If one cyclist, or team, catches the other, the race is over. Otherwise, the winner is the first one to cross the finish line. Points races can be the most fun to watch but are among the most difficult to understand. The cyclist who has the most points usually wins; however, a rider can also win if he "laps the field" (goes ahead of everyone else by a lap) and maintains his advantage throughout the race regardless of his total points.

Road races are mass start events that take place on public roads. Endurance is the main factor in road racing. Riding in the "slipstream," the current of air created by the leader, decreases wind resistance and can cut a cyclist's effort by as much as 20 percent. This is also called "drafting" and can be utilized in all cycling events.

Mountain bike racing features an off-road course and a downhill event.

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Olympians will compete in dozens of sports this summer. Even though Gateway to the Summer Games can't feature them all, you can learn about each and every one by visiting the sites listed below.


Portions of the above text were excerpted from Share the Olympic Dream--Volume II.
© 2001 by Griffin Publishing Group/United States Olympic Committee.

For information on purchasing Griffin materials, please visit the Griffin Publishing Group Web site at http://www.griffinpublishing.com.

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