(Regole e basi del ciclismo su pista leggi qui in italiano)
Track cycling is a fascinating, fast and spectacular discipline, but also a highly regulated one.
Even before talking about races, it is essential to understand where you ride, how a track is built, and which rules allow everyone to train and race safely.
In this article you will find the basics of track cycling, explained by someone who lives in the velodrome every day.
These are the same rules I use in the L’Angolo di Francesca videos and that will help you move correctly on the track and understand what is happening when you watch a race.
What is a velodrome and how it is built
Velodromes can be:
- indoor or outdoor
- with lengths ranging from 133 metres to 500 metres
For international competitions (World Championships and Olympic Games), the standard length is 250 metres, almost always with a wooden track.
The key point is that the official track distance is always measured on the black line, which represents the fastest trajectory.
Velodrome lines (and why they are essential)
Lines are not only used for race regulations, but also to organise traffic on the track during training sessions.
- Côte d’Azur (light blue band)
It is not part of the track.
It is used to enter and exit. You do not ride here. - Black line (datum line)
It represents the official length of the velodrome and is where training efforts and races take place. - Red line (sprinter’s lane)
It is a proper lane, mainly used during sprint finishes. - Blue line (stayer line)
It marks the upper limit of the racing zone.
Above the blue line the pace is easy: warm-up, recovery, cool-down.cupero, defaticamento.
How to move correctly on the track during training
- Never cross the black line without checking what is happening behind you
- Riders doing efforts stay between the black line and the blue line
- Riders going slowly stay above the blue line
If you overtake a slower rider:
- always on the outside
- never on the inside
The track only works if everyone is predictable:
- keep a straight line
- avoid zig-zagging and sudden direction changes
- always look behind before moving up, down, or changing line
On the track, danger always comes from behind.
If you are unsure what to do: stay where you are, without changing your line.
The most important rule: overtaking is always on the outside
On the track:
- you never overtake on the inside
- overtaking is always done upwards
Overtaking on the inside is extremely dangerous and puts you and others at risk.
Flags and signals: what they mean
During races and training sessions, signals may appear that change what is happening on the track.
- Red flag → race suspended, riders stop safely
- Yellow flag → neutralisation, riding continues with no attacks
- Green flag → race resumes normally
Gun:
- 1 shot → race start
- 2 shots → race stopped or false start in time trials
These rules are important both for riders and for spectators watching races on TV.
Fixed gear: you never stop pedalling
On the track, bikes use fixed gear:
- you never stop pedalling
- to stop, you slow down progressively
Trying to stop pedalling is dangerous.
Every velodrome has its own rules
The rules explained here are general and valid everywhere, but every velodrome has a manager and specific regulations.
Listening to the people in charge of the track is always essential.
Conclusion
These basics are necessary to:
- train safely
- coexist correctly on the track
- truly understand what is happening during a race
In the next episodes of L’Angolo di Francesca I will start explaining track cycling races one by one, starting with the Scratch.
Watch the full videos
🎥 L’Angolo di Francesca #1 – Cos’è il ciclismo su pista
🎥 L’Angolo di Francesca #5 – Regole base del ciclismo su pista
💬 Do you have questions or curiosities? Write them in the comments.
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Francesca Selva 