Points race

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A points race is a mass start track cycling event involving large numbers of riders simultaneously on track. It is an Olympic discipline.

In this endurance race, points are awarded to the first five finishers of sprints. The sprints usually occur every ten laps on a 250m track, or more often on bigger tracks. The winner of the race is the person who accumulates the most points and is on the leading lap. Sometimes laps will not take automatic precedence, and instead 20 points are awarded to a rider who gains a lap.

Because a large group of riders has an aerodynamic advantage over riders on their own or in a small group, races typically proceed with most riders in a large bunch and then sprinting at each point-scoring interval (often assisted by teammates, who expend energy to aerodynamically "tow" their colleagues to the front of the pack, then peel off to let them sprint for the line). However, the points race also offers opportunities for riders who cannot sprint as fast but can maintain a high speed for some distance, as they — either individually or in small groups — attempt to break away from the main field.

With so many competing riders on a relatively small track all sticking closely together to gain optimum aerodynamic advantage, crashes are not uncommon. Similarly, because of the large numbers involved, abject confusion on the part of the viewer is not uncommon, either.

The points race (because of its length) is not usually held in an omnium track race (unless it is a shortened distance). This means cyclists often have to go to larger events to take part in a major points race. Cyclists determine position in a points race whilst riding at high speeds around a banked track with 30 or more riders.

[edit] Snowball

The snowball is a variation on the points race where only the first finisher in the sprints is awarded any points. The number of points awarded increases with each sprint. The first sprint gives one point, the second gives two points, the third gives three points, etc. The sprints are also more frequent than in the normal points race, and can happen every lap or every two laps. In the case of a tie, the order of the final sprint is used to break the tie.

[edit] Point-a-Lap

The point-a-lap is - as its name would imply - a variation on the points race where a single point is awarded to the first rider to finish each lap. Typically more points are awarded on the final lap, going several riders deep.

[edit] Tempo

The tempo race is similar to the point-a-lap race except that points are awarded two deep for each lap (two points for the first rider, one point for the second).