Intro to Cycling Disciplines

All cyclists ride bikes, but cycling’s many disciplines couldn’t be more different! This course examines the rules, skills, strategies, and culture of cycling’s disciplines: road, track, mountain, cyclocross, BMX, and virtual racing.

Introduction to Cycling Disciplines, an online course for cycling coaches

This course introduces the unique rules, techniques, formats, and challenges that shape road racing, track racing, mountain biking, cyclocross, BMX, and virtual racing. Coaches will learn about:

  • Cycling’s disciplines and competition formats, including road races, criteriums, stage races, time trials, track events, mountain bike races, cyclocross, BMX, and esports.
  • The rules and etiquette that shape safe and fair racing, from road categories and upgrade pathways to track lanes, velodrome lines, communication cues, and race-specific expectations.
  • The skills each discipline demands, including road tactics, time trial pacing, track positioning, mountain bike handling, cyclocross dismounts, BMX sprint power, and esports race strategy.
  • How to help athletes prepare for events by understanding differences in event duration, terrain, equipment, tactics, fitness demands, and technical skill requirements.

This course helps show how cycling is more than a single sport. Complete this course for a stronger understanding of each bike-powered discipline, what athletes need to know, and how to help them enter new cycling environments.

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How to Enroll

All USA Cycling courses are offered exclusively through USA Cycling’s online learning management system at learn.usacycling.org.

Questions? Contact Suzy Sanchez, Director of DEI and Membership Programs, at ssanchez@usacycling.org.