So you Fancy racing the Madison?
Find yourself a partner
This popular event is the King of Track Races. It derives its title from the Madison Square Gardens in the USA where madison racing became popular. The race normally consists of a team of two riders (sometimes three), one racing in the bunch the other resting. Relays take place throughout the race and this is where the race can be won and lost. A bad or ineffective hand sling can cause a team to loose several places. The hand sling allows the racing rider to give his momentum over to his resting partner and thereby bringing the resting rider upto race speed. Similarly the racing rider having lost his momentum gets his breath back as he rests riding slowly above the blue line while his partner keeps the team in the race.
Technically the event is similar to the Points Race as the objective is to gain laps on the other teams and win points in the sprints, which occur every 10 or 20 laps depending on lap distance & race duration. When the 'Chase' is on watch for the high speed changes.
To see Madison Racing at its best get yourself to one of the winter Six-Day races held all over Europe (except Britain!). Click here for Stockport Clarion at the Gent 6.