Analysis of the different racing strategies and tactics used in elite level omnium points races

View/ open
Author
Greenfield, Alexandra
Date
2015Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Research into track cycling is fairly limited and even more so in the performance analysis
discipline. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyse the points race and
research if there was any significant changes to racing strategy in relation to the 2014
format and rule changes of the omnium. Performance indicators were grouped into four
categories: Attack, breakaway, failed breakaway and gaining a lap. Six elite-level female
points races were analysed (n=3 old rule, n=3 new rule) from the European
Championships, World Cups and World Championships equally. Mann-Whitney U tests
were used when comparing old to new rules and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used when
comparing 3 independent samples (top 3, middle 3, bottom 3 overall finishing positions).
The study found statistical significance from breakaway analysis comparing old (total 85,
mean 28 ± 9, p<0.05) to new (total 167, mean 56 ± 12, p<0.05) rules. Failed breakaways
were also found to be statistically significant when comparing old (total 73, mean 24 ± 9,
p=0.05) to new (total 161, mean 54 ± 11, p=0.05) rules. The results from this study show
changes to racing format and rules have modified racing strategies and could effect
athletes and coaches tactical decision making for future events.