Paris Olympics 2024 Track Cycling: Madison Explained

Denmark Madison Cycling

The Madison, named after Madison Square Garden in New York where it began over 125 years ago, has had an interesting history at the Olympics. It first appeared for men in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was also included in 2004 and 2008. However, it was dropped for the 2012 and 2016 Games. In 2020, the Madison returned to the Olympic schedule, and women competed in the event for the first time. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to 2021, where this historic debut took place.

The Madison began as a way of circumventing laws passed in New York in the late 19th century, aimed at restricting the exhaustion of cyclists participating in six-day races. Initially, riders would race solo for hours, often leading to extreme fatigue and hallucinations. To address this, event organizers at Madison Square Garden introduced the relay format, allowing races to continue around the clock while ensuring no individual rider exceeded a 12-hour racing limit. This adaptation led to higher speeds, greater distances, and increased spectator interest.

Basics of the Madison

Points are earned by two-person teams through intermediate sprints, signalled by a whistle with one lap to go, and by lapping the rest of the field. The team with the most points wins, but if a team is lapped by the entire field, points are deducted.

Sound simple? Amassing points requires a choreographed sequence of relay passes between teammates. Men race 200 laps (50 kilometres) while women race 120 laps (30 kilometres). Sixteen two-person teams compete on the 250-metre track at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome. It’s a whirl of orchestrated chaos that fans love.

Each rider takes a turn being โ€œactiveโ€ on the track, while the โ€œinactiveโ€ rider coasts at a slower pace on the upper bank of the track until a relay swap is made. This exciting sling-shot movement is typically created by teammates gripping hands and catapulting one another forward into action. This exchange can happen anywhere on the track and as often as they want.

Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny 2020 Olympics
Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny

Olympic History and Significance

The Madison was an Olympic event for men in 2000, 2004, and 2008, but was dropped ahead of the 2012 London Olympics due to gender equality issues, as there was no equivalent race for women at that time. In June 2017, the International Olympic Committee announced that the Madison would be reintroduced to the Olympic programme for the 2020 Summer Olympics, including both men’s and women’s events.

The inaugural womenโ€™s event was won by Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny for Team GB. Making its return at the Paris Olympics 2024, the Madison is a popular event in the velodrome and has attracted some of the biggest names in cycling to compete over the years. The events will take place between 9 to 10 August.

Key Rules and Format

A winning Madison team is determined by points rather than time. The Australian pair, Leigh Howard and Sam Welsford recorded the fastest average speed of a modern Madison race at 59.921 kph during the World Cup event in Glasgow in November 2019.

Many countries pair an endurance or time trial specialist with a true sprinter, creating a team strategy to gain a lap on the field for maximum points. The UCI has included the menโ€™s Madison at the Track World Championships since 1995, while the women have competed for the rainbow jersey since 2016.

Relay Changes: Changes between riders typically occur through a hand-sling but can also involve a push if necessary. Riders should stay low on the track during these exchanges to avoid interference with active competitors.

Laps and Sprints: Riders aim to take more laps than their opponents, gaining 20 points for each lap gained. Points are deducted for laps lost.

Intermediate Sprints: Points are also awarded during sprints at set intervals, with 5, 3, 2, and 1 point(s) awarded respectively. These points are crucial in the event of tied positions.

Final Sprint: Points for the final sprint lap are doubled, adding a strategic element to the race’s conclusion.

Netherlands-Madison-cycling

Olympic Madison Champions

Men Winners List

YearHost CityGold MedallistsCountry
2000SydneyBrett Aitken, Scott McGroryAustralia (AUS)
2004AthensGraeme Brown, Stuart O’GradyAustralia (AUS)
2008BeijingJuan Esteban Curuchet, Walter Fernando PรฉrezArgentina (ARG)
2020TokyoLasse Norman Hansen, Michael MรธrkรธvDenmark (DEN)

Women Winners List

YearHost CityGold MedallistsCountry
2020TokyoKatie Archibald, Laura KennyGreat Britain (GBR)