Olympic Cycling is divided into four disciplines: Track, Road, Mountain Bike and BMX. Track Cycling has the greatest variety of race types: sprint, pursuit, time trials, points racing, Olympic sprint, Keirin and Madison. In time trials races, men race over 46.8 kilometres and women over 31.2 kilometres. In Road Cycling competitions, men’s races are held on a 239-kilometre course, and women’s races, on a 120-kilometre course.
Mountain Bike races are held on cross-country terrain, with ascents, descents and winding trails. The length of the course is decided depending on weather conditions the night before the competition. Men’s courses vary between 40 and 50 kilometres, while women’s courses vary between 30 and 40 kilometres.
BMX races are held on 350-metre courses with obstacles. Eight cyclists compete in each heat (qualifying rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals). The top four competitors qualify for the following round.
