Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Maximum speed

Elsewhere on this board someone claimed a relative did 50 MPH on flat ground, no wind.

Everyone pretty much agreed that was rubbish. But none of us came up with any data for elite cyclists on non-fared bikes. My search came up with lots of results, for HPV records, but that is far different from a normal bike.

Then I remembered that some track events are short and I'm pretty sure some are flying start.

I'm hoping someone can provide a link of 2.

Thanks in advance.

Elsewhere on this board someone claimed a relative did 50 MPH on flat ground, no wind.

Everyone pretty much agreed that was rubbish. But none of us came up with any data for elite cyclists on non-fared bikes. My search came up with lots of results, for HPV records, but that is far different from a normal bike.

Then I remembered that some track events are short and I'm pretty sure some are flying start.

I'm hoping someone can provide a link of 2.

Thanks in advance.

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go7iec-PS1Y

Theo Bos setting the world record in the flying 200 at 9.772 seconds, or about 46mph.

Look for "Flying 200M" times and average speeds. These are the times/speeds the rider traveled the last 200M of the event.

The current world record is 9.572" held by Kevin Sireau (FR).

This means that he traveled 200M is 9.572". His average speed was 75.22KPH or 46.74MPH. This was the average speed of the run. I would guess that he hit a peak speed around 48 or 49mph.

Here is a terrible amateur video of the record:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERyAdBltSGM

Here is a better example of a previous world record setting run by Theo Bos (NED)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOSKYezZ-Q

For other really fast times, here are the results for the Flying 200M (the qualifying event for the Men's Sprint event) at the 2009 UCI World Championships.

http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/cmt2009/Mens_Sprint_Qualifying_Results.pdf
Note: Theo Bos is listed as the World Record holder on the top of the page because he was at the time of the event.

This was found here: http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/cmt2009/index.htm

EDIT:

I just realized I linked to the 2009 WC.

Here is the 2010 WC: http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/cmt2010/index.htm

Elsewhere on this board someone claimed a relative did 50 MPH on flat ground, no wind.

Everyone pretty much agreed that was rubbish. But none of us came up with any data for elite cyclists on non-fared bikes. My search came up with lots of results, for HPV records, but that is far different from a normal bike.

Then I remembered that some track events are short and I'm pretty sure some are flying start.

I'm hoping someone can provide a link of 2.

Thanks in advance.

I would imagine that the "50MPH" claim was either a fish tale or computer error. We've all had computers give erroneous values. For basic computers, all it takes is for one bad reading to turn 25MPH into 50MPH for a split second and that 50MPH will stick as the Max Speed for the entire ride.

To put things into perspective, most regional/national level sprinters can hit 40+ mph. But there is a BIG difference between 40MPH and 46MPH.

Mark Cavendish:
"The top speed I've ever done in a sprint has been clocked at 78kph (49.01mph) and I think that's the fastest ever in a sprint,"
http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/meet-mark-cavendish-cycling-sprint-king/NiNOngmSrMMQnohd7gaFkQ

From those track efforts, it's hard to tell how that compares to riding on the flats. It looks like they're going as high as they can on the banked curve, then dropping off of it and staying off of it to make their 200m run.

From those track efforts, it's hard to tell how that compares to riding on the flats. It looks like they're going as high as they can on the banked curve, then dropping off of it and staying off of it to make their 200m run.

Exactly, and the reason why I posted a video link--so the OP can decide if this is comparable. Coming off the bank is quite a boost. For that matter, just dropping the width of the pole lane helps out on the homestretch.

I would imagine that the "50MPH" claim was either a fish tale or computer error. We've all had computers give erroneous values. For basic computers, all it takes is for one bad reading to turn 25MPH into 50MPH for a split second and that 50MPH will stick as the Max Speed for the entire ride.

He was also using a GPS-based app on his Android phone.

Just from personal experience and testing different lines, Ive had up to a second and a half difference in 200 times from an ok line to a really good line around the track, so the backing makes quite a difference.

. My search came up with lots of results, for HPV records.
OMG the doctor told me those test results were private!

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go7iec-PS1Y

Theo Bos setting the world record in the flying 200 at 9.772 seconds, or about 46mph.

I think that pretty well substantiates that the "relative" or "Lemond could do" 50 mph on the flat as rubbish. A track surface is faster than tarmac or asphalt and there is no wind in an indoor velodrome. So if the world's best who train full time and specialize in sprinting can only do 46-47 MPH average over 200 meters with a flying start. IT pretty much says that is the upper limit of current human ability. There have probably been a few road race sprints over 50 mph in the history of road racing because there happened to be a strong tail wind at the same time. But I imagine those have been pretty rare.

I can't see any human sprinting over 48 mph unless they have a very strong tail wind or are lead out by a motor cycle or something at 40 mph or so and on a straight sprint which might be a little faster than doing it on an oval track. Assuming the same surface friction and wind conditions.

It is possible that with ideal conditions a road sprint with several riders moving for position could have a psychological effect that could increase speed to some degree. Also, there could be more broken air streams for a sprinter to get into when coming from behind.

I think that pretty well substantiates that the "relative" or "Lemond could do" 50 mph on the flat as rubbish. A track surface is faster than tarmac or asphalt and there is no wind in an indoor velodrome. So if the world's best who train full time and specialize in sprinting can only do 46-47 MPH average over 200 meters with a flying start. IT pretty much says that is the upper limit of current human ability. There have probably been a few road race sprints over 50 mph in the history of road racing because there happened to be a strong tail wind at the same time. But I imagine those have been pretty rare.

I can't see any human sprinting over 48 mph unless they have a very strong tail wind or are lead out by a motor cycle or something at 40 mph or so and on a straight sprint which might be a little faster than doing it on an oval track. Assuming the same surface friction and wind conditions.

It is possible that with ideal conditions a road sprint with several riders moving for position could have a psychological effect that could increase speed to some degree. Also, there could be more broken air streams for a sprinter to get into when coming from behind.


Did you see this above:


Mark Cavendish:
"The top speed I've ever done in a sprint has been clocked at 78kph (49.01mph) and I think that's the fastest ever in a sprint,"
http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/meet-mark-cavendish-cycling-sprint-king/NiNOngmSrMMQnohd7gaFkQ

(Turn your volume down. Terrible music in this vid)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc1yeX_7lWM

wow he's fast...

fast, and an amazingly slow cadence. He must be doing, what, 50 RPM?

Seemed more like 70 to me. I swear some of the roadies here do 50 though. Blows my mind how their knees aren't blown out.

Seemed more like 70 to me. I swear some of the roadies here do 50 though. Blows my mind how their knees aren't blown out.

He's actually turning around 120RPM... I counted 17 revolutions for the last 8 seconds of his sprint = 2.1 revs per second or a bit over 120 RPM.

JMR

He's actually turning around 120RPM... I counted 17 revolutions for the last 8 seconds of his sprint = 2.1 revs per second or a bit over 120 RPM.

JMR

That's probably right!

According to a gear calculator, assuming he's riding a 53/11 gear ratio, at 120RPM he is going around 46mph/74kph.

Chris Hoy reported that he hit 78.1kph (48.5mph) in this London World Cup 2012 keirin final:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-t8lFpLlaA