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Racing Strategies and Tactics

Road Racing

Road racing offers many strategic and tactical opportunities for a team that has 3 or 4 plus riders in the race at similar capability levels. These recommendations do not take into consideration the riders themselves but are general considerations. Before the race the team members should layout what the overall strategy will be and what tactics will be used to meet the specific strategic goals. An example might be, if there is one strong climber on the team, the rest of the team will do the work up until a particular climb. Then the climber will make a break on the climb while the rest of the team slows the pace of the peloton. This sounds simple enough but it requires each team member doing their specific part, communication during the race, and positioning the team members in the peloton to launch the climber. The general point should be well noted and that is every rider on the team in a particular race should warm-up together, strategize during this time, and each rider hold up their end of the plan. Considerations will include the riders strengths involved in a particular race, how many team riders are in the race, how each rider is feeling, the course itself i.e. length, hills, descents, etc., and the goal. The goal may not be to win the race, this may be unreasonable. Goals should be attainable. The goal may be for two team members to make the break. If the goals is always just to win, it could become too much of the focus and not allow for other tactics to be executed. Each race will have different mini goals during the race that lead up to the ultimate goal. By building up in this matter it will lead to top 5 finishes and ultimately victories.

In the lower categories, i.e. 4 and 5, these strategies and tactics may be more difficult due to lack of experience and the varied rider performance capability. While racing in category 4 and 5 use this time to practice your skills. While in the 4 and 5 categories there may be more opportunistic racing going on. This is OK if the plan breaks down, but stick to the plan if possible.

There are certain techniques that can be applied as well. They are the following:

If climbing is your weakness, get to the front before the climb to allow for sliding back through the pack on the climb
Protect yourself from the wind, use the pack to break the wind.
Take short pulls.
Do not let the pack intimidate you into working too much, they will take advantage of you given the chance
If you want to make some kind of a move, consider your strengths and time the move well. If possible, clue your team members in so they might help. This assumes the overall plan has broken down.

Crits

There are a lot of similarities in Road and Crit racing from a strategic and tactical standpoint. Before the race the team members should layout what the overall strategy will be and what tactics will be used to meet the specific strategic goals. The difference between Road and Crits might be who the go to team member is. A strong road racer may not be a strong crit racer. Crits require different skills and different strengths. Generally a bigger more powerful rider with a good sprint is the type for crit racing. So during the pre-race warm-up ride, decide what the strategy will be and who will be responsible for what. Crits are a very high intensity race but they are shorter so once again different riders may be strong.

There are certain techniques that can be applied as well. They are the following:

Stay towards the front, top 20%, to avoid crashes and minimize the dangling speeding up and slowing down effects.
Find the fast lines through corners by paying attention during the warm-up lap. Flowing through corners will be save a lot of energy during the race.
Do your slowing for a corner before you turn in, then peddle through and out of the corner. This is much more efficient.
Pay close attention to your gear selection. During a technical crit you will be shifting 10 or 15 times per lap. This can be a major leg saver if done well.
Normally use the inside line when possible. This will reduce the chance of being pushed to the curb and having to slow down too much. It is usually more efficient as well.
Do not do all the work. Even when you are in the pack, make sure you are on someone's wheel to break the wind AMAP.
If you have the ability move to the front pay attention to the preeme (sp) laps, you might win something nice and you will gain exposure for the team.
When there is 4 or 5 laps to go, get into position fast. If you do not move fast, you will be out of position at the end. This is a common mistake. You may want to test your ability to move up earlier in the race so you know what works best in that particular race. Only the last lap is important to lead.
During the last lap take the inside line. This is very important since everyone begins to swing wide on the last lap due to the substantially increased speed.
If you do not have a team member to lead you out, look for someone who seems to be strong and stay with them as a lead out.

Clearly if the the team strategy is working well you will be in position with team members all doing their part for a successful race. Stick to the plan unless it breaks down.

Time Trials

Go hard, use a hear monitor to assure you are at your limits without blowing up. Go as fast as possible on descents and climb at your maximum. Try to time your blowing up with the end of the course. Time trials are an all out 100% effort 100% of the time. Get ready for some prolonged pain!

Mountain Bike

MTBing is a totally different experience than road or crit racing. It is closer to Time Trialing than anything. First of all get really warmed up before the race since it starts off fast and stays that way the entire race. You will more or less be at you maximum or above the entire race and will not have drafting as an option. At the starting line get as close to the front of the pack as possible to eliminate the need to follow slower riders. Durning this time and at the start of the race is the best time to pass other riders and get right to the front. Do not be afraid of leading right out of the start. Once again, this is not road racing where drafting is an issue. What is more important is not getting caught behind a slower rider on a single track or an area where passing is difficult. Do not loose touch with front runners if possible. It is much easier to sneak away in a MTB race (out of sight, out of mind) due to the trees, etc. you can not see a rider who is off the front only a small distance. Fly where you are fast and do not crash where you are less skilled. If you are a good single track rider or decender, make up time in these areas. Likewise if you are a great climber. If you try to go too fast in areas you are less skilled, it may cost you by falling or blowing up. Maintain as strong a pace through out the race as possible, sort of like a time trial. Although I do not recommend a heart rate monitor, it could mess you up. Anytime someone passes you attempt to hang with them unless it will blow you up. Often times pacing with a faster rider will help you to go faster. Do not attempt to climb very steep or rocky inclines on the bike, this will often times cost more time and energy than it is worth. Also, do not try to jump back on the bike too soon after hike a biking. Wait until you can get on and get going fast. If you know a single track is coming up and there is a rider in front of you, try to pass them so they do not slow you on the single track. If you are behind someone on a single track who is slow and will not move over it is time to get verbal. Let them know you want by, let them know if you are not in their class if that is the case. If that does not work find a spot with some room and make an aggressive move. Hopefully it will work and you will be rid of them. It is recommended not to resort to violence when possible. Other than this, keep your head down, ride at your personal maximum for the entire race, and finish well.