How do cyclists know where to start in a race?

Question

Are the faster people up front? Is there a rule that gives people starting in the back some sort of fair advantage as those in the front?

Answer 1

It depends on the race. Everyone lines up at the starting line but there is generally no particular order unless it's a stage race and there are jersey wearers. They (and their teams) will often get invited to the front. Otherwise, show up early and stake your position on the line and be prepared to hold it. If its a road race early position is less important. For a crit, being near the front for the first turn could make all the difference.

If you're asking about professional races there is a hierarchy depending on teams and riders. More experienced pros get more respect and their teams follow along. Big budget teams will be up front since their sponsors paid the most.

Answer 2

They all start at the starting line.

Answer 3

The only racing I have ever done is the 200 meter sprint, which is a flying start event. the 200 meter sprint is also a solo race, just one bike at a time, against the clock.

( I build streamlined bicycles).

http://www.speed101.com

The timing trap has sensors duct-taped to the pavement 200 meters apart, which start the timer when the bikes wheel runs over them.

The results are tallied down to a hundredth of a second.

Time trials like this are fair because everyone gets timed by an impartial judge.

Answer 4

The race officials tell them where to start.

Answer 5

In a large, long bike race there is plenty of time for the faster riders to gravitate towards the front.  Plus, breakaways where one or more riders try to get away from the pack happen all the time.  A few hills will drop the slower riders off the back.  Pretty soon only the strong, fast riders will be at the front.

In most (all) big bike races when a pack finishes together all riders in the pack get the same time as the first person across the line.  This, of course, only matters in a multi-stage race where the overall winner is based on cumulative time.