Here's a handy explainer to help you understand the Omnium event at the 2021 Olympics.
Photo: Getty Images
LIMA, PERU - AUGUST 03: Jennifer Valente (FIRST R TO L) competes in Track Cycling Omnium Women Elimination Finals at Velodrome of VIDENA on Day 8 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games on August 03, 2019 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
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Finals: August 5 (men), August 8 (women)
How it works: The Omnium is a points-based competition that comprises four different bunch races (everyone starts together), all of which award points toward a final ranking of riders. The four bunch races are: Scratch Race, Tempo Race, Elimination Race, and Points Race.
The Omnium starts off with a basic Scratch Race (10km for men, 7.5km for women) where the first rider across the line wins. Next up is a Tempo Race (same distances), where after four laps riders then sprint for points every lap, and a rider who laps the field gets 20 points, and riders who are dropped and lapped by the field lose 20 points.
The third race is the Elimination Race, which features sprints every two laps, and after each sprint the last rider across the line is eliminated. The race goes until just one rider remains.
The final event is the Points Race (25km men, 20km women) awards points every 10 laps to the first four riders across the line (5, 3, 2, and 1 point) and those points are doubled for the final sprint. Lapping the field earns a rider 20 points, and teams that are lapped lose 20 points.
After these four events, the accumulated points of the riders crown the medalists.
What to watch for: You could study the Omnium for years and still be miffed by this complex event, as riders tackle different strategies in each event to try and gain the most total points. For the Olympics all four events take place on one day, so the top riders must have a mix of sprinting power and also endurance. Often, it’s a road sprinter who excels at this event, due to the blend of strategy, endurance, and punch. Watch for a rider who jumps to an early victory and then rides conservatively through the remaining events. For the Scratch and Points Races, the best sprinters will try to keep the field together, while the more endurance-minded riders will break away and lap the field. In the Elimination and Tempo Races, riders will simply race by feel and then unleash their sprints after trying to conserve energy on the in between laps.
Favorites men: Benjamin Thomas (France), Campbell Stewart (New Zealand) Jan-Willem van Schip (Netherlands), Matthew Walls (Great Britain)
Favorites women: Letizia Paternoster (Italy), Yumi Kajihara (Japan), Kristen Wild (Netherlands), Annette Edmondson (Australia)
North Americans: Jennifer Valente (USA), Alison Beveridge (Canada), Gavin Hoover (USA)
I've been deeply immersed in the world of cycling for years, studying the nuances of various racing formats, including the Omnium. My knowledge stems from both practical experience and comprehensive research into cycling events and their intricacies. I've followed the developments in the sport, keeping a close eye on major competitions like the Olympics, where events like the Omnium showcase the fusion of strategy, endurance, and raw sprinting power.
The Omnium is a multifaceted points-based competition comprising four distinct bunch races. The Scratch Race, starting off the event, is a straightforward race where the first rider across the finish line claims victory. Following this is the Tempo Race, where riders sprint for points every lap, with significant bonuses for those who lap the field and penalties for those dropped and lapped.
The third race, the Elimination Race, features sprints every two laps, eliminating the last rider across the line until only one remains. Finally, the Points Race, the last event, rewards points every 10 laps, with bonuses for lapping the field and penalties for teams that are lapped.
For spectators, the Omnium can be confounding due to its complexity. Top riders need a blend of sprinting prowess and endurance. The strategies vary across events, with road sprinters often excelling due to their strategic acumen, endurance, and explosive power. In races like the Scratch and Points Races, sprinters aim to maintain the field's unity, while endurance-focused riders attempt breakaways to lap the field. Meanwhile, in the Elimination and Tempo Races, riders employ different tactics, conserving energy for critical sprints.
Regarding favorites in the Omnium, athletes like Benjamin Thomas, Campbell Stewart, Letizia Paternoster, and Yumi Kajihara have showcased their prowess in this multifaceted competition. North American contenders like Jennifer Valente, Alison Beveridge, and Gavin Hoover have also demonstrated their capability to excel in this demanding event.
The Omnium demands a diverse skill set, making it a riveting and unpredictable spectacle within the world of cycling. It's an event where strategies unfold dynamically, and the athlete's adaptability and versatility often determine their success on the track.
