Points Race

The points race is a mass start track cycling event involving large numbers of riders simultaneously on track. It is an Olympic discipline.

In this endurance race, points are awarded to the first 5 finishers of sprints. The sprints usually occur every ten laps of a 250m track, or more often on bigger tracks. The winner of the race is the person who accumulates the most points and is on the leading lap. Sometimes laps will not take automatic presidence, and instead 20 points are awarded to a rider who gains a lap.

Because a large group of riders has an aerodynamic advantage over rider on their own or in a small group, races typically proceed with most riders staying in a large bunch and then sprinting at each point-scoring interval (often assisted by teammates, who expend energy to aerodynamically "tow" their colleagues to the front of the pack, then peel off to let them sprint for the line). However, the points race also offers opportunities for riders who cannot sprint as fast but can maintain a high speed for some distance, as they (either individually or in small groups) attempt to break away from the main field.

With so many competing riders on a relatively small track all sticking closely together to gain optimum aerodynamic advantage, crashes are not uncommon. Similarly, because of the large numbers involved, abject confusion on the part of the viewer is not uncommon, either.