There's a simple hierarchy for scoring a points race:

1. LAPS... The rider who gains more laps on the field than any other rider, regardless of his or her point total, wins the race. Even though it's called a points race, a single lap up trumps a zillion points. It is therefore at least theoretically possible to win a points race without scoring a single point. Laps can be gained and/or lost. If a rider with points falls back and gets lapped by the field, his points are used only to separate him from other riders who were also lapped by the field.

2. POINTS... Riders who finish on the same lap are sorted out using whatever point system the race director chooses to employ (usually something like 5, 3, 2, 1). If all riders in the race are on the same lap, point totals determine the winner. If in the same case a rider who finished with the most points got dropped off the back near the end of the race, if that points leader managed to finish without getting lapped, even though the field was breathing down his neck, he is the winner of the race.

3. FINAL-LAP PLACEMENT.. Finally, for the riders who score zero points, it is the order of finish on the final lap that sorts out the remaining zero-point places. If a rider is tied with another rider for points, and they are both on the same lap, that tie is broken on the final finish as well.

MAIN GROUP... The main group is the nucleus around which the rest of the race revolves. Lost laps and gained laps have to be lost and gained from somewhere. That somewhere is the main group. A descriptive definition, it's usually clear which riders comprise the main group. In the rare case in which this is not clear, the official must step in and designate which group is the main group.

LEAD GROUP... Any rider or riders who advance ahead of the main group are leading the race for points sprints. He, she, or they become the lead group. They remain so called until the lead group is caught by the main group or the lead group catches (laps) the main group. Riders in the lead group gain points on sprint laps until such time as they return to the main group, one way or the other.

GAINED LAP... A gained lap is a lap gained on the main group. When it becomes imminent that the lead group will lap the main group, the official may declare a gained lap at any time. The lead group does not have to make physical contact with the main group. At that time the lead group and main group become one in the same. All riders are eligible for points, unless, of course, there is another chase group that was in front of the main group but behind the lead group. In this case the chase group becomes the new lead group as soon as the former lead group is declared "in the main group."

LOST LAP... A lost lap is a lap lost on the main group. When it becomes imminent that the main group will lap a rider who has lost contact with the main group, the official will declare a lost lap. That rider may continue to ride with the field and is eligible for points even though he is a lap or more down. (Remember the scoring hierarchy.)

N.B., Gained laps can be lost; lost laps can be gained back.