Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - so what is pursuit racing anyway?

stupid question?

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Individual Pursuit:
Two riders begin pedaling from a standing start on opposite sides of the track, "pursuing" one another until one is caught or the distance is completed. If one cyclist does not overtake or catch the other rider the cyclist with the fastest time is declared the winner. Distances raced include 2000 meters for junior women, 3000 meters for senior women and junior men, 4000 meters for senior men.

Team Pursuit:
The rules in team pursuit are the same as in individual pursuit except that teams of four riders compete against one another. The time of each team’s third rider is used to determine placing. The team pursuit event calls for precision teamwork each rider takes a turn in the lead breaking the wind before swinging up to the top of the banked track and dropping down to the tail of the team for a brief rest.


it's a great event. Seeing your opponent on the other side of the track, hopefully seeing them sooner the next lap, if not....

what about an Australian Pursuit?

Basically it's an all-out sprint with competition. That's why pursuit bikes tend to be the most unergonomic of all track bikes. Aero and fast is the only consideration.

what about an Australian Pursuit?


everyone starts out evenly spaced, (i've done it where you're spaced all around the track, and where you're spaced a set distance apart).

as soon as you're caught by someone behind you you're out.

pursuit (esp. individual) is a brutal business; all about how hard you can go and how much pain you you can take.

team pursuit (as sam said) is really amazing to watch.

4km max, that isnt very far, these races dont last long LOL

4km max, that isnt very far, these races dont last long LOL

it's far when you're at or over your a.t. the entire time. it HURTS!

it's far when you're at or over your a.t. the entire time. it HURTS!

yes it does hurt and the pros was 5000 meters. I did this event for 10years. You really have a respect for endurance events! Time trial events also applies here.

now pro/am men 4000m and 3000 m for pro/am women. it is not all out like the kilo but trying to maintain a certain level without blowing up.

S/F,
CEYA!

i just experienced pursuit and team pursuit at the helyer velodrome in san jose for the first time, was very fun, i'm addicted.

I'm glad somebody asked this question, I'd been wondering for a while. That said, this sounds like one of the most intense cycling events ever. Usually, you see a lot of jockeying, strategy, and pacing in bike races. Pursuit sounds like its just an out and out deathmatch with no drafting or strategy at all, just go as fast as you can for as long as you can. Insane.

Ceya, what does pursuit look like in practice? Does everyone approach it as a 4000/5000 TT, trying to clock the best time, looking at the other rider from time to time to check how things are going, or is there a more concentration on catching the opponent? Eg. does anyone take a risk and go all out, hoping to catch the opponent on the first 2000, at a pace that is definitely unsustainable throughout? Do stronger guys sprint to catch the other rider and save some energy for the next round by not completing the whole distance?

I've only seen a couple of pursuits on TV, but the pace does seem more uneven than a TT.

Team pursuit: yummie. Looks great, often closely fought

Ceya, what does pursuit look like in practice? Does everyone approach it as a 4000/5000 TT, trying to clock the best time, looking at the other rider from time to time to check how things are going, or is there a more concentration on catching the opponent? Eg. does anyone take a risk and go all out, hoping to catch the opponent on the first 2000, at a pace that is definitely unsustainable throughout? Do stronger guys sprint to catch the other rider and save some energy for the next round by not completing the whole distance?

I've only seen a couple of pursuits on TV, but the pace does seem more uneven than a TT.

Team pursuit: yummie. Looks great, often closely fought

here you go////

like any time endurance event you hve a time schedule to keep. in pursuits you try to maintain your schedule you have per lap.

if you are above your times and feeling good you may win. you have somebody yelling you your time to you. you an see the other rider but you get in that zone you focus on your form and listen for the times being yelled out to you.


my drill was to maintain time for every kilo , 2km, and 4km. practice form throughout the 4km, even though you are racing against somebody else you are really racing yourself for a better time.
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yes some people try and catch inthe first 2000m but you have a chance of blowing up if you are off schedule.

you stay in the saddle, you only come out of the saddle at the start.

if you don't win you don't advance. some people hold back then somebody comes along and put a time that put everybody on defensive. always go for a good time.

it is like road time trial, you have to maintain a pace to increase your chances of winning. Chris Boardman and Ekimov (Discovery channel team) both pursuiters world champions that went to the road and excelled in TT.

i hope i answered your questions.

S/F,
CEYA!

My son's coach had them do an Australian pursuit. He called it the "Death March" and I soon saw why. It got down to 2 riders and they were a half a lap apart. My son was one of the death marchers. They went about 8 minutes before Sam caught the other rider. Neither one of them could walk in a straight line afterwards. :p I now threaten him with an Australian Pursuit if he back talks me. :D