What are the different cycling events at Commonwealth Games? — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

[BBC]

There are a total of 15 different events taking place in track cycling and para track cycling during the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with 26 gold medals up for grabs.

In track cycling, there are nine different events, all of which have men's and women's competitions.

Para track cycling has four events. Two are completely identical across the men's and women's competitions, but there are different classifications for para-athletes in the men's and women's 1km time trial and individual pursuit.

Here is an explanation of what the 15 different events involve.

What are the track cycling events?

Cycling events will take place across three days at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow [Getty Images]

All competed in both men's and women's competitions

Sprint : A sprint race event is where two cyclists start next to each other and race a certain amount of laps around the track

Keirin : Races typically take place over a distance of around 1.5km. A group of cyclists go around the track, with a motorcycle pacing them. The pace increases until the motorcycle departs with around 600-700m remaining. From then it becomes a sprint race

1km time trial : An individual race where competitors take it in turn to see who can complete 1km in the quickest time

Team sprint : Two teams of three riders race against each other in relay-style race. The two teams start the race at opposite ends of the track, travelling in the same direction. After each lap, the front rider drops back so that the next member of the team leads. The final lap is ridden solely by the remaining rider of each team

Individual pursuit : A race between two riders, starting at opposite ends of the track and travelling in the same direction. Ridden over 4km to see which of them can complete the distance in the shortest time

Points race : A long-distance race traditionally ridden over 40km for men and 25km for women. Every 10 laps, a sprint is held with points given out for the top four finishers of each sprint. The winner is the team with the most points at the end of the full race

Scratch race : Typically, a long-distance race between 7.5 and 15km for large groups of riders. The winner is whoever finishes first at the end of the distance

Elimination race : Also a race for large groups of riders. At certain points of the race, riders at the back of the group are eliminated and the group is whittled down as the race progresses

Team pursuit : Competed over a distance of 4km by two teams of four riders, who start on the other side of the track. The winning team is the one who either completes the distance fastest, or overtakes the other team before the distance is reached

What are the para-track cycling events?

Events competed by both male and female athletes, unless specified

Tandem sprint B : A two-person sprint race which puts a blind para-athlete alongside a sighted pilot

Tandem 1km time trial B : A two-person time trial, also tandem, consisting of a blind para-athlete alongside a sighted pilot. Ridden over one kilometre

Men's 1km time trial C1-3 : A one-kilometre time trial event for male para-athletes with disabilities graded C1, C2 or C3

Men's individual pursuit C1-3 : A men's individual pursuit race for male para-athletes with disabilities graded C1, C2 or C3

Women's 1km time trial C4-5 : A women's one-kilometre time trial event for female para-athletes with disabilities graded C4 or C5

Women's Individual pursuit C4-5 : A women's individual pursuit race for female para-athletes with disabilities graded C4 or C5

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.