spinner1
03-14-03, 12:23 PM
ok can anyone tell me the difference between these, i am thoroughly confused.
ominium
criterium
time trial
stage race
ominium
criterium
time trial
stage race
Road Cycling - bike race definitions?
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Styk33
03-14-03, 01:06 PM
I have never heard of an ominium.
Criterium is a lapping race usually the laps around between, .6-2 miles. They are based on time and not necessary laps.
Time Trail is a race against the clock on a specified course. No drafting allow with your opponents and you are spaced out to start with. Usually between :30-2:00 gap between competitors. Faster your time, the better you place. There are two types, team and individual. Individual is just you by yourself. A team TT is anywhere from 3-10 people and you can draft within your team. The last person to cross the line is when the clock stops on a TTT.
Stage race is usually held over a couple days and has different 'stages'. This is what the Tour de France is, different routes on different days. Stage races sometimes include TT and crits in them.
How is a crit different from a circuit race? Is it the distance of the laps?
Criterium is a lapping race usually the laps around between, .6-2 miles. They are based on time and not necessary laps.
Time Trail is a race against the clock on a specified course. No drafting allow with your opponents and you are spaced out to start with. Usually between :30-2:00 gap between competitors. Faster your time, the better you place. There are two types, team and individual. Individual is just you by yourself. A team TT is anywhere from 3-10 people and you can draft within your team. The last person to cross the line is when the clock stops on a TTT.
Stage race is usually held over a couple days and has different 'stages'. This is what the Tour de France is, different routes on different days. Stage races sometimes include TT and crits in them.
How is a crit different from a circuit race? Is it the distance of the laps?
easyrider
03-14-03, 05:00 PM
I believe that the omnium isn't actually a race but rather a scoring method when competing in multiple races. For example, you might finish 1st in a mountain bike downhill and 5th in the cross country and then be second in the omnium behind a rider that finished 2nd in both races.
dws5b
03-14-03, 05:31 PM
Yes omniums are scored on points instead of time as in a stage race.
roadbuzz
03-14-03, 08:53 PM
Originally posted by Styk33
IHow is a crit different from a circuit race? Is it the distance of the laps?
I don't know the textbook answer, but I think of a crit as being composed of many short laps, and having a course that requires more handling skills. Whereas a circuit race is usually a course designation used for open road race (along with other designations such as point-to-point or out-and-back). So I think you're basically right. The loop is bigger, even though there may be more than one lap. I think, too, the type of racing is less dependent on bike handling and quick accelerations.
IHow is a crit different from a circuit race? Is it the distance of the laps?
I don't know the textbook answer, but I think of a crit as being composed of many short laps, and having a course that requires more handling skills. Whereas a circuit race is usually a course designation used for open road race (along with other designations such as point-to-point or out-and-back). So I think you're basically right. The loop is bigger, even though there may be more than one lap. I think, too, the type of racing is less dependent on bike handling and quick accelerations.