The sport and culture of track cycling
What to aim for
"Track cycling is thriving in Europe. Well attended events. Riders treated like rock stars. It was that way here in the US not long ago. And it will be again. Learn more about and help bring back one of the most exciting spectator sports known!"
The above is the motto of TrackInternational. I would like to add a couple of thoughts to it.
1. Europe vs US
When I started track riding last summer, I checked out what happens in Germany and I was kind of surprised of the findings:
+ many tracks
+ high-quality junior and elite programs
+ government funding for producing Olympic medals
+ major 6-day races
- if you are not competing on the top elite level than there is no place for you to compete
- no National Master Championships
- about 3 Germans competing in the Master Track World's
- the whole systems seems to be focused on up or out
In contrast I found a completely different situation here in the US, that is Hellyer:
competition on all levels and age groups.
2. What I aim for
I see the following goals to shoot for:
a) breeding a national team which brings home the medals
b) commercial success build around track cycling (6-days in Europe, Keirin in Japan)
c) fitness, fun and competition for all of us
Personally, I don't care much for professional sports (with all its issues) and sportive success to bolster the national ego (I grew up in East Germany which was all about this). I'm rather doing it than watching it.
So if you aim for c), I think the Hellyer community is leading the way.
The above is the motto of TrackInternational. I would like to add a couple of thoughts to it.
1. Europe vs US
When I started track riding last summer, I checked out what happens in Germany and I was kind of surprised of the findings:
+ many tracks
+ high-quality junior and elite programs
+ government funding for producing Olympic medals
+ major 6-day races
- if you are not competing on the top elite level than there is no place for you to compete
- no National Master Championships
- about 3 Germans competing in the Master Track World's
- the whole systems seems to be focused on up or out
In contrast I found a completely different situation here in the US, that is Hellyer:
competition on all levels and age groups.
2. What I aim for
I see the following goals to shoot for:
a) breeding a national team which brings home the medals
b) commercial success build around track cycling (6-days in Europe, Keirin in Japan)
c) fitness, fun and competition for all of us
Personally, I don't care much for professional sports (with all its issues) and sportive success to bolster the national ego (I grew up in East Germany which was all about this). I'm rather doing it than watching it.
So if you aim for c), I think the Hellyer community is leading the way.
Tags: hellyer, keirin, olympic, professional, six-days, sports, track, velodrome
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Getting rid of individual pursuit, and points races - would other events have been "better" to cut?
Started by Martin Harris Nov 5.
Sprinters Pedals for Sale
Started by John Austin Sep 3.
What to aim for
Started by Andreas Vogel May. 18, 2008.
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