Scratch Race: Where Pure Speed Meets Raw Strategy

The Scratch Race is track cycling at its simplest—and fiercest. Riders start together, race a set distance (usually 10km for elites), and the first to cross the finish line wins. That’s it. No points, no eliminations. Just speed, tactics, and guts.

But behind the simplicity lies a game of strategy. Riders need to decide whether to sit in the pack and wait for a bunch sprint or take a gamble and go solo off the front. It’s a race that suits both powerful sprinters and cunning endurance riders.

Key Scratch Race strategies include:

  • Timing attacks to surprise the group

  • Maintaining strong positioning in the final laps

  • Reading the field to anticipate breakaways

Whether you’re a seasoned cycling fan or new to the track, the Scratch Race is a crowd favorite for good reason. It’s fast, it’s clean, and it’s all about the finish line.