Track racing for beginners: the madison
Published by Halverde on 11/23/2006 at 13:12.
Summary
Remember that Sony advert? The one with all the bouncing coloured balls? Watching the madison is just like that, but it lasts an hour.
How does it work?
Imagine that all those coloured balls in the advert are racing rather than just bouncing randomly, but only half of them are actually racing at any one point (which half that is can vary at the racers' discretion, so don't get cocky and think you've got it all figured out). And you're supposed to know which two balls are winning and which ones just scored five points for being the first to bounce to a specific distance even though there are balls everywhere you look.
Tips for new fans
The trick to following a madison when you're at a track event is exactly the same as the trick for following the advert when you're at home: go and get a cup of tea whilst it's on.
Remember that Sony advert? The one with all the bouncing coloured balls? Watching the madison is just like that, but it lasts an hour.
How does it work?
Imagine that all those coloured balls in the advert are racing rather than just bouncing randomly, but only half of them are actually racing at any one point (which half that is can vary at the racers' discretion, so don't get cocky and think you've got it all figured out). And you're supposed to know which two balls are winning and which ones just scored five points for being the first to bounce to a specific distance even though there are balls everywhere you look.
Tips for new fans
The trick to following a madison when you're at a track event is exactly the same as the trick for following the advert when you're at home: go and get a cup of tea whilst it's on.
