THE 11 DISCIPLINES AT THE UCI TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sprint disciplines:

• Sprint, the ultimate test of explosive power. Following timed qualifying rounds, riders face off in head-to-head duels where positioning, acceleration and tactics are key.

• Keirin, a spectacular race in which riders initially follow a motorised pacer (derny) that gradually increases the speed. Once the derny pulls off the track, riders battle it out in a final sprint over the remaining laps.

• Team Sprint, a collective sprint event in which teams of three riders compete in both the men's and women's competitions. Each rider leads for one lap before pulling off, with the final rider aiming to cross the finish line as quickly as possible.

Endurance disciplines:

• Individual Pursuit, two riders start simultaneously on opposite sides of the track and attempt to catch their opponent or record the fastest time over a set distance.

• Team Pursuit, two teams compete over a distance of 4 kilometres, with four riders starting in each team. The team's time is taken when its third rider crosses the finish line, making teamwork and coordination essential.

• Points Race, an endurance event in which riders accumulate points during intermediate sprints held throughout the race. Gaining a lap on the main field also earns additional points.

• Scratch Race, a mass-start race over a set distance. The first rider to cross the finish line wins, in an event where energy management and tactical awareness are essential.

• Elimination, a mass-start race in which the last rider to cross the finish line after each intermediate sprint is eliminated. Riders must constantly fight for position to avoid being knocked out of the race.

• Madison, a team endurance race featuring two riders per team. Teammates take turns racing by physically handing over to one another, while teams score points in intermediate sprints and can also gain laps on the field.

• Omnium, an individual competition consisting of four events held in succession: Scratch Race, Tempo Race, Elimination Race and Points Race. The final standings are determined by the points accumulated throughout the competition.

• Time Trial, an individual test of pure speed in which riders aim to record the fastest time over a set distance: 1 kilometre for men and 500 metres for women.