2025 ENDURANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Event Website | Rider Information | Live Timing | Spectator Guide
About Track Cycling
One of the most spectator-friendly disciplines of competitive cycling, track racing seems to have something for everybody. A plethora of events makes track cycling an interesting mix of sprint and endurance events in which athletes or teams compete in individual or mass-start races. Contested on a velodrome, track events offer non-stop action and some of the most impressive and exhilarating moments in cycling. Each track cycling event is a unique competition that relies on the strength, power, speed, endurance, strategy and tactics of its competitors to determine a winner.
About the Velodrome
Velodromes vary widely in total distance, shape and degree of banking, giving each velodrome its own personality. Riding the velodrome requires a fixed gear bike, meaning it has one gear and no brakes.
There are a variety of lines painted on the velodrome:
- The apron is the flat area between the infield and the track. This area is where you will start to ride before progressing onto the boards and is often painted concrete.
- The cote d'azur are light blue painted boards signal the edge of the track.
- The black line - also known as the datum line - is 20cm above the cote d'azur and denotes the shortest and therefore fastest way to cover the length of the track.
- The red line - also known as the sprinter's line - is 70cm above the black line and exists for rules to be implemented in competition.
- The blue line - also known as the stayer's line - is a safe spot to ride if you’re not actively engaged in a sprint effort.
Scratch Race
All riders start together in this individual race over a set distance. It’s the most straightforward event in track cycling where the first person to cross the finish line wins. The race typically ends in a fast and furious bunch sprint.
Tempo Race
All riders start together, and after the first four laps, riders sprint for points on every subsequent lap. The first rider across the line each lap earns 1 point. Gaining a lap on the main field awards a bonus of 20 points, while being lapped by the main field results in a loss of 20 points. The rider with the most points at the end of the race wins.
Elimination Race
Also known as the “miss and out,” this race eliminates the last rider to cross the line every other lap, until only one rider remains. Tactics and positioning are critical; riders aim to stay near the front of the pack, but not necessarily at the very front, to conserve energy in the slipstream while avoiding elimination.
Points Race
Points are awarded on specific laps throughout the race, typically every tenth lap. The leading rider, and sometimes the second-place rider, earns points during these designated sprints. The structure and timing of points races can vary, but the winner is determined by the total number of points accumulated, not necessarily by who crosses the finish line first.
Omnium
The Omnium is a multi-race competition where riders accumulate points based on their finishing positions in each event. It is not a single race but a combination of several events. In the Olympic format, the Omnium includes the Scratch Race, Tempo Race, Elimination Race, and Points Race.
Pursuit (Individual or Team)
In this event, two riders (or two teams of four in the team event) start from opposite sides of the track and compete to complete the race distance in the fastest time. If one rider (or team) catches the other, they are declared the winner.
Madison
In this team event, paired riders take turns racing and resting. One rider races while the other circles at the top of the track at a slower pace. To exchange positions, the active rider "slings" their teammate forward to maintain high speeds. Madison races are usually much longer than other track events (often 30 km or 19 miles). The event gets its name from Madison Square Garden, where the format became popular in the early 1900s.
Sprint
Riders face off in a fast and furious head-to-head race. The competition begins with a qualifying round in which each rider aims to set their fastest time over a flying 200 meters. The four fastest riders advance to best-of-three semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals race for gold and silver, while the defeated riders compete for the bronze medal.
Team Sprint
The team sprint is contested over three laps of the track by two teams of three riders. All three riders start together, with the lead rider pulling off after the first lap and the second rider doing the same after the second lap. The final rider completes the last lap alone, and their time determines the team’s result.
Keirin
In the Keirin, 6 to 9 riders are paced by a motorized bike known as a Derny, which gradually increases speed before pulling off the track with a lap and a half to go. The riders then sprint to the finish, with the first across the line declared the winner.
Join The Team
Hard work does pay off. USA Cycling is proud to support high-performing athletes with financial, technological, and logistical programs that allow them to focus their efforts even further. USA Cycling believes that using time standards for international team qualification and continually raising the bar related to athlete support programs have been the catalysts for the fourteen World Championship medals won in the past quadrennium—the most American medals in a quad.
Get Involved
Join A Club
Compete Locally
Prepare & Train
Compete Nationally
Compete Internationally
U.S. Velodromes
Check out your local velodrome to get started in their camps, clinics, races, and events.
| Velodrome | Location |
|---|---|
| Encino Velodrome | Encino, CA |
| Hellyer Park Velodrome | San Jose, CA |
| VELO Sports Center | Carson, CA |
| San Diego Velodrome | San Diego, CA |
| Olympic Training Center Velodrome | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Brian Picolo Park Velodrome | Cooper City, FL |
| Dick Lane Velodrome | East Point, GA |
| Ed Rudolph Velodrome | Northbrook, IL |
| Major Taylor Velodrome | Indianapolis, IN |
| Lexus Velodrome | Detroit, MI |
| International Velodrome at Bloomer Park | Rochester Hills, MI |
| Penrose Park Velodrome | St. Louis, MO |
| Northeast Velodrome & Cycling Park | Londonberry, NH |
| Kissena Velodrome | Queens, NY |
| Asheville Mellowdrome | Asheville, NC |
| Cleveland Velodrome | Cleveland, OH |
| Valley Preferred Cycling Center | Trexlertown, PA |
| Giordana Velodrome | Rock Hill, SC |
| Alkek Velodrome | Houston, TX |
| Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome | Redmond, WA |
| Washington Park Velodrome | Kenosha, WI |
What is the National Team Designation?
USA Cycling is responsible for supporting and guiding athletes capable of winning Olympic medals, while also identifying, recruiting and developing future Games athletes. Our vision is to be amongst the very best in the world at talent identification, athlete development, management and preparation in all cycling disciplines. The National Team Designation is considered a critical means for achieving this vision. The support provided through the program seeks to offset some of the expenses associated with preparing for and participating in international sport. The program aims to support and assist athletes with the greatest potential to win medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Do you have what it takes to be a part of the team? Click here to view the 2026 National Team Criteria | Support Levels
MEET THE TEAM
Junior Track World Championships
August 20-24, 2025
Apeldoorn, Netherlands
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Junior Track Cycling - World Championships
Elite Track World Championships
October 22-26, 2025
Santiago, Chile
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Track Cycling
Selection Process
USA Cycling is responsible for selecting the athletes who represent the United States in Protected Competitions through an extensive selection process.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ATHLETE EVENT SELECTION PROCESS
Selection Committee
The discipline-specific selection committee provides oversight and accountability of the athlete nomination process. They ensure that the athlete selection procedures are followed and that criteria – both automatic and discretionary - are applied appropriately to nominate athletes. Once confirmed, they approve the athlete nominations.
Each discipline-specific selection committee is composed of three volunteers – a 10 Year Athlete, discipline expert unrelated to USA Cycling, and USA Cycling Discipline Director. Each selection committee includes at least one-third 10 Year Athlete Representatives as required by the USOPC Bylaws. Athlete Representatives on the selection committees are approved by USA Cycling’s Athletes’ Advisory Council.
The Track Selection Committee is as follows:
- Lauren Tamayo - 10 Year Athlete; 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist
- Adam Duvendeck - 2004 & 2008 Olympian
- USA Cycling Discipline Director
All members of the Selection Committee and USA Cycling Sport Performance staff participating in a selection must comply with USA Cycling’s Statement of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy.
SEARCH FOR SPEED
Talent identification reimagined.
Craig
Griffin
Senior Track Director
Background
Craig returns to USA Cycling in the role of Senior Track Director. He brings 33 years of elite coaching experience leading Track Endurance programs for USA Cycling, U.S. Paralympics, Canada, Japan National and Olympic Teams. He brings a wealth of knowledge and high achievement as an 8-time Olympic coach with numerous podium successes. In 1994, Craig coached the US Men’s Pursuit Team to an historic first ever World Championship medal. He led the U.S. Paralympic Team to win the cycling nations medal count at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and was awarded Team USA's highest coaching recognition award, the Order of Ikkos, as well as coaching athletes to Olympic medals for Canada (Rio 2016) and Japan (Tokyo 2020). Craig has a critical eye for high performance environments and athlete development using a blend of hard earned practical experience and acumen to develop world class programming for sustained competitive excellence. Prior to his first national coaching job with USA Cycling in 1990, Craig competed for Team New Zealand on both the road and track teams. Craig is thrilled to be back in Colorado Springs with his family and is looking forward to the challenge of improving upon the international successes of USA Cycling’s track program.
Jono
Hailstone
Men's Endurance Track National Team Coach
Background
Jono Hailstone, a seasoned cycling coach since 2010, began his career with the New Zealand Junior Men’s road team, achieving notable successes at international events. He later transitioned to the New Zealand Para-Cycling program, earning medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and leading athletes to multiple World Championship titles throughout the years.
Jono then worked with the Women’s Endurance program at Cycling New Zealand before taking the opportunity to be the head coach for Cycling Canada’s Men’s Endurance team. He secured achievements such as a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and qualified the first Canadian Men’s Team Pursuit to the Olympics in 45 years. Notably, the team recorded their best result in 89 years at the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2023, he joined USA Cycling to take on a similar mission: creating an Olympic-caliber Men’s Endurance program for Team USA.
Paul
Manning
Women's Track Endurance National Team Coach
Background
Manning is a decorated Olympian and world-class coach who joined USA Cycling in 2025 as the Women’s Track Endurance Coach. A three-time Olympic medalist for Great Britain, Manning transitioned into coaching after retiring from competition in 2008. He went on to lead the British Women’s Team Pursuit squad to Olympic gold at London 2012, earning 'High Performance Coach of the Year' honors.
Most recently, Manning coached with Cycling New Zealand, guiding their Women’s Team Pursuit team to silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now based in Colorado Springs, he brings a winning mindset and decades of elite-level experience as both an athlete and coach, as Team USA builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Jim
Miller
Chief of Sport Performance
Background
A successful professional cyclist in his own right, Jim coached several cyclists on the side and eventually retired from racing in 1999 to focus solely on his flourishing coaching career. After developing several notable cyclists, he originally came to USA Cycling to run the women’s road program in 2002. After earning Coach of the Year distinctions from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2003 & 2004, Jim was promoted to director of endurance programs, overseeing the development of American junior, U23, and women endurance athletes in road and track cycling. After making significant strides toward the USA Cycling National Development Program’s goal of developing the next generation of American cyclists, he was named Vice President of Athletics in 2010. In 2017, Jim left USA Cycling to become the Vice President of Business Development for Training Peaks. Unable to resist the Olympic call, he returned to USA Cycling in 2020 as the Chief of Sport Performance. He has earned the International Olympic Committee’s highest honor for coaches, the Order of Ikkos, three times, all for coaching 3-time Olympic Champion Kristen Armstrong to victory.
