Gator asks the following question:

Do you know a good resource for a short, simple, effective race strategies and tactics?

Gator

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Bob,

There really aren't any good books on this topic.  I have thought about writing one, and probably will some day.  So, why don't we start now....

First, Strategy & Tactics :

Definitions:

Tactic: A move, action, piece of equipment, thought, etc, used to gain advantage over an opponent.

Strategy: A collection of tactics used to gain advantage over an opponent.   Strategies are usually thought out in advance, similar to a 'pre-game' plan,  but may be changed 'on-the-fly' as different challenges are placed before the rider.

Ideally, one should have several tactics for each potential challenge. By having several options, it makes it more difficult for your opponent to predict your actions.

Several 'Rules of thumb' that I use are:

NUMBER ONE GOAL: To have yourself, or one or more of your teammates, contest the field sprint.

My definition of a TEAM: The ability to have three riders contest the field sprint. Ideally these are three teammates, but not necessarily. Example ( I ride track, but there are never any other Dayton riders at the velodrome, so I combine with two Cincinnati riders that I ride with, that have similar styles as myself . )

A) You cannot contest the field sprint, unless you make it to the end of the race.

This applies several ways, First, it makes you think about reliability of equipment, and risk management ( 'If there are 20 miles to go, do I really want to fight for that particular wheel? probably not). It also deals with consevation of energy.

B) 2 things will get you to the end of the race, and I use them as a mantra when I ride. The mantra is: 'Conserve, and Move up'. If I am near the back, I need to move up, wasting as little energy as possible' once I get to the front I need to save as much energy as possible.

C) Never accelerate into still air: Always make sure you have a wheel to come off of.

D) Do not 'telegraph' your plans.. This means developing a race face, plus learning your riding ideosyncracies. ( when you are tired, does your head drop, or do you leave your mouth open? If you are tired, do your shoulders bob when you climb?... etc . . . .)

E) Never chase down (or try to bridge) to a lone rider during the first half of a race. Individuals rarely stay away when the race is young.

F) Know the difference between 'jumping to get a gap' and 'jumping to push the pace'. Many riders think they are 'jumping to get a gap' , when in reality, they do not get 'the gap' and wind up 'jumping to push the pace' . This takes a lot of practice. You need to learn to not 'telegraph the move', and get a minimum 10 second gap without blowing up or taking a lot of riders with you.

G) If you can't bridge by yourself to the break in under 2-3 minutes, you let the gap be too big to bridge. Let up and try again with a group of riders.

H) Know your competitors 'telegraphs' and ideosyncracies'

I) Cover Every break during the last 5 - 10 miles. (Note, this does not say 'GO WITH EVERY BREAK')

J) Once you make the break, you have to know why you are there. Are you here to help, hurt, or sleighride within the break? Then ride accordingly.

K) Know the Finish line of the race.  Whether it is a road course or Criterium, make sure you know all the subtleties of the finish area. Crosswinds, corners, holes, Is there a banner?, Is the banner before or after the finish line?. etc . . .

L) If a corner is near the final sprint, remeber that you can only pass about one person per 100 yars of finish line.  That means if the last corner is about 300 yards from the finish line, you MUST enter the last turn around 3rd place.

M) and the last one, before I get back to work is: Do not be Predictible or Flashy. The only time you want to be noticed, is when you cross the finish line.

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