Editing Track cycling (section)

==Riding position==

[[File:Jamie Staff - Kilo Time Trial.jpg|thumb|[[Jamie Staff]] riding a 1&nbsp;km [[Track time trial|time trial]]]]
[[Aerodynamic drag]] is a significant factor in both road and track racing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trackcyclingacademy.com/blog/ride-faster-with-cycling-aerodynamics|title=Ride Faster with Cycling Aerodynamics|website=www.trackcyclingacademy.com|language=en|access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>  Frames are often constructed of moulded [[carbon fiber]], for a lightweight design.  More recently, track bikes have employed [[airfoil]] designs on the tubes of the frame to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Given the importance of aerodynamics, the riders' sitting position becomes extremely important. The riding position is similar to the road racing position, but is ultimately dependent on the frame geometry of the bicycle and the handlebars used. [[Bicycle handlebar|Handlebars]] on track bikes used for longer events such as the points race are similar to the drop bars found on road bicycles. However, in the sprint event the rider's position is more extreme compared with a road rider. The bars are lower and the saddle is higher and more forward. Bars are often narrower with a deeper drop. [[Carbon fibers|Carbon fiber]] bars of many shapes, as opposed to lighter [[alloy]]s, are used by many riders for their higher stiffness and durability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.velouk.net/2012/12/19/buyers-guide-handlebars-for-the-track/|title=Buyers Guide: Handlebars for the Track|work=velouk.net|access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref>

In timed events such as the [[Individual pursuit|pursuit]] and the [[Track time trial|time trial]], riders often use [[Bicycle handlebar#Triathlon or aero|aerobars]] or 'triathlon bars' similar to those found on road time trial bicycles, allowing the rider to position the arms closer together in front of the body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.velouk.net/2012/12/19/buyers-guide-handlebars-for-the-track/|title=Buyers Guide: Handlebars for the Track|work=velouk.net|access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref> This results in a more horizontal back and presents the minimum frontal area to reduce drag. Aerobars can be separate bars that are attached to time trial or bull horn bars, or they can be part of a one-piece [[monocoque]] design. Use of aerobars is permitted only in pursuit and time trial events.

Formats of track cycle races are also heavily influenced by aerodynamics. If one rider closely follows, they [[drafting (racing)|draft]] or [[slipstream]] another, because the leading rider pushes air around themselves; any rider closely following has to push out less air than the lead rider and thus can travel at the same speed while expending less effort.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://performancecondition.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Section-2-The-Science-of-Drafting-Easy-Riding-in-the-Slipstream.pdf|title=The Science of Drafting ~ Easy Riding in the Slip Stream|last=Broker|first=Jeffrey|website=Performance Conditioning|access-date=22 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924114115/https://performancecondition.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Section-2-The-Science-of-Drafting-Easy-Riding-in-the-Slipstream.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2020|url-status=usurped}}</ref> This fact has led to a variety of racing styles that allow skilled riders or teams to exploit this tactical advantage, as well as formats that simply test strength, speed and endurance.

During the early 1990s in individual pursuit events, some riders, including [[Graeme Obree]], adopted a straight-armed ''[[Superman]]''-like position with their arms fully extended horizontally, but this position was subsequently outlawed by the [[Union Cycliste Internationale]] (UCI), the sport's ruling body.{{cn|date=June 2022}}