Why don't cycle sprints begin with a standing start instead of the 'snail-pace' first lap or so?

Question

Why don't cycle sprints begin with a standing start instead of the 'snail-pace' first lap or so?

Answer 1

i dont understand

Answer 2

It's a tactical race a bit cat and mouse. If they went off at full steam I doubt if either of them could keep up the pace. So they play this tactical game making cyclist 2 use tactics to get past but not too early, and cyclist number 1 has to make sure that he keeps his speed down, until he's ready to take off, without cyclist 2 catching him out. I hope that makes sense.

Answer 3

It's the way the bike is designed.  Your feet are stuck in there and you have to keep your feet going in order to keep the bike upright.

Answer 4

I don't understand how that works either

Answer 5

Because if you go out too quickly the other guy will just draft in your slip-stream, and then burn you right at the end. The first couple laps are tactical, You try to position yourself so that when you overtake, the other racer won't be able to overtake you back.

Answer 6

You talking about the ones that went on in the Velodrone in the olmypics?

Have you tried standing starting one of they things?

First lap in car racing is to warm the tryes... So i'm guessing it's to get your legs working, when it comes to bike sprints.

Answer 7

It,s due to tactics .you get an advantage coming off the banking .