Guide to the Little 500 Season

All of the work of the riders culminates in the spring season, the period from qualifications to the race. Each team must abide by the rules put in place by the Rider's Council and the IU Student Foundation. The full rider handbook is put together by the IUSF and can be found here.

small example sidebar image — Teams attempt to have the fastest possible four laps without faulting on the exchanges. | Photo by Ike Hajinazarian

Qualifications

Teams race to have the fastest four lap time they can achieve in three attempts. The first rider gets one warm up lap , but when their front tire crosses the start line so does the timer. Teams must complete an exchange between each lap within the exchange zone and without dropping the bike. Only the fastest 33 womens and mens teams, 66 total, will compete in the Little 500 races. The times achieved at Qualifications set the starting grid for the Little 500.

Individual Time Trials

Four riders start on the corners of the track and clock their fastest possible time to complete four laps without drafting. If a rider falls, they can either get back up and keep going or withdraw from the heat.

Miss N Out

Groups of eight to ten individual riders begin with a practice lap and then in every following lap, the last person to cross the finish line is out of the competition until the final two riders are left. In subsequent rounds, three rider may advance.

Team Pursuit

Two teams start at opposite corners of the track. Each team has their bikes laid on the track, while they are stationed 20 feet away. At the starting horn, teams race to their bikes and begin a 12 lap race for women or 15 lap race for men. The teams chase each other while also trying to get the fastest time. The fastest two mens and womens teams will compete again after all of the teams have competed.

Mens' Teamsn Line up — The mens' teams line up before the 2015 Little 500 Race. | Photo by Bari Goldman

The Races

At the end of the Spring Series, the qualified teams compete in the Little 500. The men's race is slightly different from the women's race.

Men's Race Teams complete 200 laps, equal to 50.95 miles. Teams must also complete at least ten exchanges throughout the course of the race.

Women's Race Teams complete 100 laps, equal to 25.47 miles. Teams must also complete at least five exchanges throughout the course of the race.