MODELLING THE THIRD VERSION OF THE CYCLING OMNIUM Loic Devoir a, Bahadorreza Ofoghi b, Dan Dwyer c, Clare MacMahon d, and John Zeleznikow a,e,f a Institute of Sport, Exercise, and Active Living, Victoria University, Australia b Department of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia c Deakin University, Australia d Swinburne University, Australia e College of Business, Victoria University, Australia f Corresponding author:
[email protected] Abstract This paper reports our recent findings on the analysis of riders’ performance patterns in the new (third version) Track Cycling Omnium. We have made use of statistical and machine learning techniques to analyse data in recent omnium competitions and compared the results with our previous findings on the older version of the omnium to understand how and whether the new omnium requires different skill sets and strategic planning for elite riders and their coaches. The results of our analysis shows that for both male and female riders, sprint abilities are more important than endurance abilities in the current omnium, contrary to the previous omnium where endurance abilities were slightly more prominent in female medal winners. In addition, the Flying Time Trial race remains the most important race for men while Individual Pursuit has become more important for female riders. Keywords : Track cycling omnium, rule changes, performance analysis 1. INTRODUCTION This work focuses upon track cycling omnium coaches as decision makers who identify talent and conduct strategic performance planning for cyclists that compete in the multi-event track cycling omnium. Such advice is given to coaches/riders before and during the omnium events.