Racing on Les Quennavais Track

Whilst in Jersey we refer to Les Quennavais as track racing, the correct term is closed road circuit racing, track involves banked circuits in an indoor or outdoor velodrome. 

Les Quennavias is 1.5km long, with the start/finish on the long straight.  The CCC run two different formats:

Handicap Racing

This is where there is one race on the track involving two or more divisions, one Division starts e.g. Div 2 and then after a time gap, calculated based on average speed of Div1, Div1 starts.  So Div 1 needs to first catch Div 2 riders, if they do at this point Div2 riders can join with Div1 (as all one race), it is important when Div2 are caught they jump on the back of Div1 as they pass and do not try to insert themselves in the middle of the passing peloton, as this is how crashes are caused. 

In a Handicap race it is in Div2 and Div1 interest to initially work together, and take turns at the front, as it maximises the ability of Div 2 to 'Stay away' and not get caught, and for Div 1 to catch the Div2 riders. At some point it will become obvious the catch is or is not going to happen, and/or the finish of the race is approaching, so working together will no longer increase individuals chance of winning the race.

During the race the faster riders will generally announce when they are catching the a group or riders, this may be shouting 'Keep Left' or 'Hold you line' or 'Passing on the right'. Regardless of what is shouted the slower riders just need to hold their line and if on the right, left or middle of the track stay in that position, the riders behind will have already decided which side they will pass. As above, once the riders have all passed you can jump on the back of the group.

Anyone new to racing on the track, cornering is not the same as motoring racing, and there is no such thing as racing line if you are in a group. It is similar to an athletic  track, if you enter the corner on the outside you must hold that position on the corner and exit on the outside. If you are in break on your own you can cut across the corner and take the fastest line.

For novice riders who get dropped it is perfectly acceptable to carry on and ride around on your own or join with other riders who have been dropped, it is a perfect opportunity to practice cornering a speed, with the marshals keeping the track clear. On your own there is no need to brake for any of the corners,  and  it is probably your cornering speed that led to you being dropped in the first place.

Divisional Racing

In a divisional race there may be two of more divisions on the track, but each division is in their own race, and when riders overtake from a different division you are not permitted to jump on the back of the faster group, and the same rules apply that you need to hold your line.