Major Taylor Velodrome

This outdoor concrete track is in a park in Indianapolis. It is named after Major Taylor, who grew up in the city. In 1899 he became the first Black world champion in cycling. A big grandstand looks over the home straight. On summer nights, the racing goes on under bright lights.

One lap: 333.33 m
Track: Concrete
Banking in the bends: 28°
Banking on the straights: 9°
Width: 7 m
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Built: 1982
People who can watch: About 2,900

Did you know?

This velodrome opened in 1982. It is named after Major Taylor, a cycling champion who grew up right here in Indianapolis.
Major Taylor won the world championship in 1899. He was the first Black world champion in cycling!
When Major Taylor was young, some tracks would not let him race, because he was Black. He kept going, and he beat the best riders in the world.
People say Major Taylor got his nickname as a boy, doing bike tricks in a soldier's uniform outside a bike shop.
This was the first building in Indianapolis paid for by the city and named after a Black American.
In 1987, the track races of the Pan American Games were held right here!

The race announcer tells riders these facts at Major Taylor Velodrome.

Race at Major Taylor Velodrome

In Watt Fighters you race here on your own bike, on a smart trainer or with a power meter. Your watts move your rider round the track. On the steep bends you need speed, or you slide down the banking. You can race every event here: match sprint, elimination, points race, scratch race, unknown distance, time trial, keirin, flying 200 m, open track.

Race here in Watt Fighters

Major Taylor Velodrome

Did you know?

Race at Major Taylor Velodrome

The other velodromes