Hi all,
I've been training up very regularly and have the first race of the season this Sunday. Its a 30min + 1 lap crit. So far I know that I should;
- try and stay in (get into?) the top 6 rows or so because of the elastic effect on the corners
- try to go into the corners in the drops (inside leg up, outside leg down),
- stay parallel to the rider beside you in corners (no drifting in or out),
- try to spin at faster rpm instead of slower, around 90+ rpm,
- do not let wheel overlap with wheel in front,
- focus up the course, not on the wheel in front.
Is there anything else I should keep in mind? I hope with all these tenets I remember to pedal the bike.
If you feel like you are about to get dropped, hold on in there, chances are the group will slow down just as you're legs are about to blow. Be clever with the wind - save energy by sitting on the left of the group when the wind is coming in from the right etc. Shift down a gear going into the corners, and be ready to be out the saddle sprinting out of it. Don't look at the rear wheel of a rider in front if trying to hold the wheel, look at the seatpost - you'll wobble less. Brake before corners, not during, especially in the wet.
More important are the safety aspects:
Head up 100% of the time.
Keep your elbows to yourself.
Before moving left or right, look left or right appropriately. (most important point ever, nowhere near enough people do this. It doesn't matter how on the limit you are, just do it).
A little hand gesture to show your left/right intentions never goes amiss.
Strong, rigid arms in the sprint - keep that bike in a straight line. On that note, hold your line throughout the corners!
Don't jump if people put their hands on you to push you in/ forward. Also, if you end up leaning on somebody, don't break out of it straight away, wait until you are confident/ on a straight section.
Don't run 160 psi on a wet track
Safety comes before performance. You're here to learn on this one, not win it. Don't be upset with your result, a canny rider will beat a fit rider 9 times out of 10.
On a side note to this thread, personally I am of the belief that everyone wishing to get a cat 4 license should pass a test/ do a coaching session specific to crit racing. Would be a bit of an arse, but it's not a huge deal. Not necessarily that expensive either and would certainly reap benefits both from a safety and tactical point of view.
