Race strategy

VeloFlash

My advice to avoid getting dropped -

1. If you go to the front to do a turn, only exert yourself to within you capabilities. Don't feel that you have to contribute exactly as the other more experienced and seasoned riders.

2. The best position to preserve yourself and guard against being dropped is about 5/6 back from the front (depending upon size of pack).

3. When you are in the pack, always look up to the front to get an early warning of a pack surge to answer an attack. Anticipating the reaction and getting on the pedals early will prevent you from getting gapped by faster riders in front of you.

4. Move closer to the front when approaching hills. The leaders will accelerate over the hill and if you are caught towards the rear you run the danger of being dropped by attempting to match that faster pace while still in climbing mode.

5. Anticipate a counter attack after a successful chase and bridge.

6. If protocol dictates that you must do a turn, try and pick the easier parts of the course to take over (eg, downwind). Remember that downhills are not easier for the rider on front. He/she is required to pedal while others sit in their draft and coast.

Roy Gardiner

Alternatively, stick to flat criteriums, then you can hide in the middle of the bunch no problem. Of course, then you get the problem of cornering...

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Roy Gardiner, Hainault Roads Club

Fooz

Or you have the problem I have. I am the big oke everyone hides behind (1.87m tall, 100kg's sitting on a 59cm Litespeed).

A few weeks ago we had a race, very flat course, with one long 5km winding hill. Every time I went to the front with a friend, we'd put the pace up to about 36 - 37km/h....then after about 2 mins we'd drop back, and the pace would slow down something ridiculous...like 29km/h! This went on for about 35km.... then I broke free of the group on the climb with another rider, and we worked our hearts out to get a good lead on them...

Guess what....the group chased us down...caught us, and promptly set up again back down to some easy 32km/h pace... It was annoying as hell...they wouldn't work with us, but they wouldn't let us go either....

Eventually we just kept attacking and I got 2nd in the sprint for our group, but then some 10 other people piled in front of me at the timing mats....a common problem where we race....

Just thought I'd share that with the forum

Roy Gardiner

Ah, Cipollini......25kg heavier

Sounds like you and your buddy are the strongest, everyone knows it and everyone is racing against you. So don't play their game, play your own. Maybe sit in until 10-15k to go, then just keep on attacking. Then they won't have time to chase you down. Or wait until the last descent before the finish, and use that 100kg to get away and ride solo to the line. Unless you can sprint; if so, ignore all the above and just don't hit the front until 200m to go!

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Roy Gardiner, Hainault Roads Club

steevo

Dont be afraid to lose. You will either lose by getting dropped and hoping somebody else will do the work, or by trying to bridge the gap and losing steam. I think one is benificial than the other. If you want to sit, stay at home. Give it your all, if that isnt enough, keep working at it and someday it will be.

One of my favorite races this year, I had a up to a 1 minute lead in a break with about 8 miles to go. I could see the finish line at the top of the hill when the sprinters passed me. It was one of my best races ever even though I think I finished really close to last.
Give it your everything.