After riders complete one circuit of the track, they cross the finish line, and just like the sprints in track and field, the finish is usually videotaped to determine the winner. Race courses are generally 1,000 to 1,600 feet in length. Depending on the number of entrants in your division at a local race, you might do three races at a single event, quarters, semis and finals. Some big nationals races might go much deeper, require four races just to get to the finals. This is a sprint type of event so upper body strength is very important.
Riders lift weights.
They run some. They want to gain power and strength, but not bulk. Some go as far as really watching their diet and doing stuff like carbo-loading before competitions. Devito figured David Milham of Orlando as the top rider in Florida. A former world champion, Milham was ranked 8th in the country last year.