{{Short description|Type of bicycle race}} '''Elimination races''' or "snap-dragon" races in bicycle racing are a form of race wherein during the course of the race, certain participants are eliminated through various criteria. The most common types of elimination races are the ''miss and out'' and the ''win and out''.
The omnium event has an elimination race. In 2015 at the 2015 UEC European Track Championships, an elimination race was contested for the first time as a full standalone event at an international championship.{{cn|date=October 2025}} It has been a separate event at the World Championships since 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cyclingnews |title=Day 5 Track Worlds: Viviani claims first-ever men's rainbow jersey in Elimination Race |date=24 October 2021 |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-track-world-championships-2021/day-5/results/ |publisher=Cycling News |access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>
==Miss and out== The miss and out,<ref>{{cite web |title=Miss and out definition |url=https://www.encyclo.co.uk/meaning-of-Miss_and_out |website=English Encyclopaedia |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> or ''devil take the hindmost'',<ref name = Hart2023>{{cite web |last1=Ken |first1=Hart |title=Strategies for Elimination Races |url=http://www.kenhart.com/track/Elimination_Race_Strategy_and_Tactics.pdf |access-date=30 March 2023}}</ref> is a race run for individual competitors or, more rarely, for teams of two relaying each other as in the madison. At the end of every lap or every set number of laps the last rider to cross the line is eliminated from the race. When just a handful of riders remain, they sprint for the finish.
Tactically, the real racing in these sorts of races happens at the back of the field.<ref name = Hart2023 /> With riders at the front riding steadily and those behind moving up on the elimination laps to find a safe spot, the race favours riders with nerve and track-craft. Crashes are more common than in other races, especially among inexperienced riders.
==Win and out== The win and out is similar to the "miss and out", however, rather than the last rider being eliminated the first rider to cross the line is removed from the race. The first rider removed wins first place, the second rider removed wins second place, and so on.
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Elimination Race}} Category:Elimination race Category:Events in track cycling
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