Miss and Out

Miss and Out, Devil Take the Hindmost or elimination race is a massed start track cycling distance event. It is not a world championship or Olympic discipline but a popular event for spectators and riders at track meetings at a lower level and usually incorporated into Six-Day races.

The race is 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 a "devil" happens at the back of the field. 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. The telescoping of the field means crashes are more common than in other races, especially among inexperienced riders.

ee also

*Elimination races