2026 Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai
With the 2026 Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, the eyes of the cycling world will be on the velodrome for a week. On the historic 250-metre wooden track, the world’s best sprinters, endurance specialists and omnium riders will compete for the coveted rainbow jerseys. For many nations, the World Championships also serve as an important indicator of form ahead of upcoming major international events. Furthermore, the World Championships mark the start of the qualification phase for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Here is an overview of the disciplines.
Scratch
This discipline of track cycling takes the form of a mass start involving a large field and is relatively straightforward to understand. A set number of laps (for example, 40) are completed; whoever crosses the finish line first, second and third after this long distance wins the medals. Gaining a lap gives a significant advantage.
Keirin
It is also known in specialist circles as a ‘battle sprint’ and is a variant of track cycling that originated in Japan. Usually, six riders compete over a distance of six laps, with a pacemaker leading the field for the first half of the race and gradually increasing the pace during this period. For the final three laps, the race is then open and unrestricted, with a certain number of riders progressing to the next stage.
Points race in track cycling
This is also a mass start event. Points can be earned for specific placings at pre-determined points along the course. Athletes who manage to win a lap can secure an additional 20 points. The winner is the competitor who has accumulated the most points.
Omnium
The Omnium comprises four events, all of which are held on the same day. This track cycling competition includes the Scratch race (see above), the time trial (at the end of each lap, one point is awarded to the leader, plus 20 points for lapping the peloton), the elimination race, in which the last rider in the field is eliminated every two laps, and the points race. This is similar to the time trial, but is contested over a longer distance. Furthermore, points are not awarded every lap, but at longer intervals.
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