Summer Slam 2026, Day 4, Evening Session: Storm

 That rumble progresses and recedes as the race moves around the oval. It is a distinct sound - solid, created by force and power. Because it just happened, it is the rumble rising from your belly when breakfast is a little late in the morning. It is the summer storm, born in the prairie heat and sweeping in across the short grass, rising over the tall grass. The rumble of this advancing storm, though, is not accompanied by driving rain and bursting thunder, but by the rhythmic spinning of wheels, a rolling train picking up speed. The rumble approaches in waves, much like the wave of created by fans in a stadium, and sound gathers in strength as it draws near, wheeling around the near turn, delivers with a booming bass, then quickly passes, receding into the steeply pitched far turn and along the back stretch, before gathering again the closer it gets. That is the Points Race.

The Elimination Race is similar in many respects, but unlike the cyclic rhythm of the Points Race, the rumble of an Elimination Race decreases in its timbre every few laps as one rider after another, the last across the line on each designated lap, withdraws from the rolling storm. Imperceptible, perhaps, between any given series of consecutive laps, the rumble gives way at the end and only the final two competitors remain. They are the whir of the wind that has driven the storm out of range, exhausted but for one final push.
 

I used to think those were the only types of track racing worth watching (alright, add pursuits - especially team pursuits - to that short list as well), but after the last two weekends of the 2026 Summer Slam, I have had a change of mind. The one-on-one sprints are compelling in their own way. I think it was during one of the 200 meter finals heats on Friday when someone sitting nearby inquired of her partner when the race was going to begin, and the answer she received was "they are racing." Yes, the two on the track were in that first strategically slow lap, waiting, gauging, measuring, judging, eyeing one another in anticipation of that singular most opportune moment to strike - the lightning to the storm.

In addition to the photos here, more are in the race album here.

the rumble was especially heavy early in the men's elimination race when the field was still nearly full - Fernando Gabriel Nava Romo (Mexico) won from Harshveer singh Sekhon (India), and Cristian Arriagada Pizarro (Chile) 3rd

"all" Rayan Helal (France) had to do to reach to men's 200m final was out-sprint James Brister (Australia) in their second heat match-up. He did, and would go on to win the final as well

keeping an eye on Lea Sophie Friedrich (Germany) behind her would not be quite enough for Mathilde Gros (France) who was swept out of her semi-final matchup

Lauriane Genest (Canada) had more success in her semifinal, sweeping her Team Germany rival,

Pauline Sophie Graboasch

man, i don't think i could ride, let alone race with bars that narrow, but Stephanie Lawrence clearly can, outlasting everyone in the women's elimination race. Marlies Mejias Garcia (Cuba) 2nd, and Alice Rylee McMullen (Australia) 3rd

Maximilian Dornbach (Germany) won his third run against Dalton Walters (USA) to move on to the mens 200m sprint final

action during the men's points race

Lucy Reeve (New Zealand) during the women's points race

Lea Sophie Friedrich (Germany) on her way to winning the women's sprint gold medal