Tactics will be interesting, and the best tactics may well be different for each team.
The go like hell approach may work for the faster boys, perhaps not such a good idea for those starting earlier and likely to be pedalling for longer.
Here, it may make sense to pace better and avoid going too far into the red early on. However, too slow at first and you may be unable to make up the time, so a bit like an FTP test, effort may need to be well judged and fairly consistent throughout, leaving just a bit of anaerobic capacity for the sprint at the end!
If there is a larger gap in Handicap within the team, it may not make sense for everyone to take turns, the stronger riders will naturally spend more time at the front. It is the time of the third finisher that counts, so all that matters is getting the three across the line in the shortest time. Sheltering the third/fourth rider may achieve this, but the time of the fourth rider doesn't matter, so if they are sheltered the entire way that gains nothing. However, it is possible that one rider may fall off the back, so it makes sense to ensure there will be at least three at the end.
Going to be interesting seeing what works here, as it will depend so much on the riders on the day, I'm looking forward to it.
I suspect that this first run will be very much a learning exercise for us all... and it's all just a way to have fun while exercising (obviously this is not true for Adam or Bill)!
Good luck to everyone taking part!
Geoff
P.S. I presume discussion of specific tactics will be kept to private conversations within each team!
