Track sprinting, sometimes called "match sprinting", on a velodrome can involve two to four riders racing, (at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for example) 3 laps totaling 750 meters.

The qualifying round is a timed flying 200 meter time trial. From there the riders are seeded for the next round where the fastest rider races the slowest, the second fastest against the second slowest.

The first two laps of a match sprint are usually ridden slowly, the riders even coming to a complete halt, as they jockey for position or try to catch the other stopped with his crank arms vertical, depriving him momentarily of pedaling force. Some riders prefer to come from behind, other like to take the front. When the riders do dash for the line, it is an exciting all-out race

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