NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPs
The European Championships were a huge success
German domination on the first day
Hungarian artistic cyclists of the first day of the race
Artistic cycling is a form of competitive indoor cycling in which athletes perform tricks (called exercises) for points on specialized, fixed-gear bikes in a format similar to ballet or gymnastics. The exercises are performed in front of judges in five-minute rounds by singles, pairs, four- or six-person teams.
The riding area for artistic cycling is a wooden court, which also serves cycle ball competitions, that ranges in dimensions from 9 x 12 meters to 11 x 14 meters, where the maximum size is mandated for international competitions.
Three concentric circles are taped or painted at the center of the court with diameters (measured to the outside edge of the line) of 0.5, 4, & 8 meters. Four half-meter hashes extend radially from the four quadrants of the middle circle.
Cycle-ball is a sport similar to association football played on bicycles. The two people on each team ride a fixed gear bicycle with no brakes or freewheel. The ball is controlled by the bike and the head, except when defending the goal.
The field used is rectangular in shape, about half the size of a basketball court. There entire field is surrounded by a small barrier that prevents the ball from going out-of bounds. There is a goal post on both ends, which are of the same size as indoor football goal posts.
A match is played in two 20-minute periods. The player’s foot must not touch the ground, failing which results in a penalty. The objective of the sport is to score as many goals as possible. The team that scores the most goals wins the match.
