What does it mean to gain a lap in a track race?
I · Intermediate · The bunch races · 3 of 6A rider gains a lap by breaking away and riding round to catch the back of the main bunch. In the points race, Madison and tempo race that is worth 20 points, and being caught by the bunch from behind costs 20. The president of the commissaires' panel decides which group is the main bunch.
How it works
- Gaining a lap: a rider "shall be considered to have gained a lap when he or it has caught up with the rear of the largest racing bunch on the track".
- Losing a lap: being caught by the largest racing bunch.
- Which bunch: the president of the commissaires' panel makes the final decision on which is the largest.
- The value: 20 points for a lap gained and 20 off for a lap lost, in the points race, Madison and tempo race.
- Scratch race: laps gained are taken into account in the final placings, with no points.
- Elimination race: gaining a lap does not count.
- The head of the race: when the bell rings for a sprint, the head of the race is fixed and decides who scores.
- A lap and a sprint at once: a rider who gains a lap at the moment of a sprint gets the 20 points and the sprint points.
- No help from behind: a dropped rider caught by riders who are ahead of the bunch may not lead them, on pain of disqualification.
- Withdrawn: riders one or more laps down may be taken out by the commissaires.
- The start: bunch races start with a neutralised lap and then a flying start. Half the riders line up at the rail and half in the sprinters' lane.
The glossary has gaining and losing a lap, the bell, the points race, the Madison and the scratch race.
Tricky cases
A rider is a few metres from the back of the bunch when the race ends. Have they gained the lap?
No. The lap is gained when the rider has caught up with the rear of the bunch.
The bunch splits into two groups of similar size. Which one must a rider catch?
The largest. The president of the commissaires' panel decides which that is.
A rider who has been dropped gets caught by a breakaway. Can they help it by taking turns at the front?
No. A rider who has dropped behind may not lead riders who are ahead of the bunch, on pain of disqualification.
Does gaining a lap win a scratch race outright?
It depends on what the others do. A rider a lap ahead is placed in front of everyone on the same lap as the bunch, but another rider could also gain a lap.
Why the rule exists
On a 250 metre track a break is never out of sight, so the reward for escaping has to be defined: it is the moment the escapers rejoin from behind. Putting a points value on it gives two ways to win the same race, by sprinting or by attacking, and makes the two trade off.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Points race and tempo race | Plus or minus 20 points | UCI 3.2.118; UCI 3.2.262 |
| Madison | Plus or minus 20 points for the team | UCI 3.2.162 |
| Scratch race | Laps count in the placings. Lapped riders leave the track | UCI 3.2.177; UCI 3.2.178 |
| Elimination race | A lap gained does not count | UCI 3.2.225 |
From the rule book
Union Cycliste Internationale, Cycling Regulations, Part 3: Track Races (amendments applying 1 January 2026), articles 3.2.017bis, 3.2.017quater, 3.2.118, 3.2.120, 3.2.121, 3.2.125 to 3.2.127, 3.2.162, 3.2.177, 3.2.178, 3.2.225 and 3.2.262. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 3 (PDF).