Cycling

Merlin5 · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:21

Why does one rider always start ahead of the other looking over their shoulder instead of both starting next to each other and accelerating together?

Jokester · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:22

Just too easy for Becky as well.

SDK^ · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:23

Our domination in track cycling is amazing. Every event we role out a team, or, one or two riders who can gold easily.

marc2003 · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:24

Merlin5 said:
Why does one rider always start ahead of the other looking over their shoulder instead of both starting next to each other and accelerating together?

You can burn off from the line if you want to but sprinting for 3 laps ain't easy.

Jokester · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:26

That creeps me out when a women bends her elbows back like that.

touch · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:26

Merlin5 said:
Why does one rider always start ahead of the other looking over their shoulder instead of both starting next to each other and accelerating together?

Usually neither of them will want to open their sprint from the start because it's 3 laps and the other rider would just tuck in behind for 2.5 laps and easily come round at the end after saving so much energy.

So both riders want to be behind at the start but the one higher up the track has an advantage because they can slowly roll down the banking and keep their balance. The rider at the bottom needs to pedal a little to get moving.
(They are not allowed to come to a complete stop)

Merlin5 · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:27

I see. Thanks chaps.

Jokester · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:28

I like it, the massive explosion of power when they floor it is great.

shipinabottle · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:33

I like that it brings tactics into it as well as speed. Builds the tension really well.

Every four years I'm amazed at how captivating the velodrome becomes.

Telecaster · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:39

Merlin5 said:
Why does one rider always start ahead of the other looking over their shoulder instead of both starting next to each other and accelerating together?

They take it in turns to start from the front, seeing as the one at the back has an advantage, best of three tactical battle sprint to the line. It has been done from the start if you catch your opponent napping.

Blimey, that Dutch Ligtlee girl is a big old unit!!

touch · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:41

Telecaster said:
Blimey, that Dutch Ligtlee girl is a big old unit!!

Yep! Googled it when I saw her: 6ft1 and 90kg! :eek:

Telecaster · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:51

She doesn't even look that fit or developed though TBH, reminds me of some of those big female tennis players that don't look much like athletes either.

Cosimo · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:52

Kenny!

marc2003 · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:52

Arise Sir Kenny.

Cosimo · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:53

marc2003 said:
Arise Sir Kenny.

All we need now is Lord Wiggo.

zophiel · 14 Aug 2016 at 21:58

now equal in medals to wiggins. only hoy has more

Telecaster · 14 Aug 2016 at 22:06

zophiel said:
now equal in medals to wiggins. only hoy has more

Wiggins has more medals than both. He's equal on golds, but not total medals, he will need another Olympics for that.

Merlin5 · 14 Aug 2016 at 22:15

How good will Mark Cavendish be later, is he likely to win his first olympic medal?

Telecaster · 14 Aug 2016 at 22:21

Merlin5 said:
How good will Mark Cavendish be later, is he likely to win his first olympic medal?

Too close to call, he might get a medal, I doubt it will be Gold though unless he does something amazing.

touch · 14 Aug 2016 at 22:22

Merlin5 said:
How good will Mark Cavendish be later, is he likely to win his first olympic medal?

I'd say there's a resonable chance he could get a medal.
IMO the fact that he tried to get into a break in the scratch race rather than sit in and wait for a sprint shows that he might be quite confident in his ability.