There are two types of starting methods: with the bike held and without holding the bike.The held start is commonly used in velodrome races, while the no-hold start is used in group road starts.
Method for the Held Start:Before the race, the athlete sits on the bike while the referee holds the lower rear of the saddle, or one hand holds the front fork dropout and the other the lower rear of the saddle to maintain balance. Before starting, the athlete should first tighten the toe straps, then hold the handlebars firmly, take one or two deep breaths, and relax the waist. Sit firmly on both pedals, keeping them parallel to the ground, or slightly higher on the pedal of the first pushing foot. When the referee says “Set,” the hips should leave the saddle smoothly and promptly to prepare for launch, but the movement should not be too abrupt to avoid a false start. Upon hearing the starting gun, the first foot immediately pushes down forcefully and quickly—but not excessively hard—to prevent excessive muscle tension and difficulty passing through the “dead spot.” The other foot uses the toe strap and cage to lift the pedal upward, with the toes slightly raised to prevent the shoe from slipping out. While the left foot pedals, the left hand pulls the handlebar inward with force to concentrate power, and the right hand pushes downward with equal force. The arms bend, the upper body moves forward, and the entire body forms an arched shape to exert force. When switching to the other foot, the motion is the same but in the opposite direction. At the same time, the head is slightly lifted to monitor the bike’s balance, accelerating straight ahead. After reaching a certain speed at 60–80 meters into the start, the athlete can smoothly sit back on the saddle. Using the existing momentum, ease the pedaling a few times to adjust for muscle tension caused by the start, then immediately transition into normal pedaling. It’s important to note that when moving from the standing position to sitting down, do not pull the handlebars backward sharply, as this can slow the bike.
Method for the No-Hold Start:Before the start, the athlete holds the bike with both hands, straddling the top tube, with one foot on the pedal and the other on the ground. When the starting signal is given, push hard against the ground to move the bike forward, quickly sit on the saddle, fasten the toe cages, and accelerate using the standing cycling method. After the start, the technique is the same as for the held start.