Can anyone explain the olympics cycling ?

Question

watching the cycling on channel 7, in the valadrone, can anyone explain the little man at the start on the electric bike and then how they just ride casually until some certain point where the chinese man just like takes off???

whatt???

Answer 1

No one can explain it.  That's why the judges consult in private before handing out the medals.  

In truth, its done at random, part of a drunken bet at a UCI Christmas party some years ago.  

Answer 2

This event is called the Keirin (one of many olympic track events)

The scooter sets the pace and slowly works up to about 50 km/h. Riders still work for the best positions during the paced section. It pulls off with about three laps to go. Then the riders sprint the rest of the way home.

Basically a rolling start sprint.

here is a link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keirin

Answer 3

He's just there to keep everyone interested until the Brit gets going and wins it.  

Answer 4

He is the pace car so to speak. The bikes are geared so high (one speed) that is very hard to start out so they do a running start just like NASCAR..