Bicycling 1,100 Best All-Time Tips by Jason Sumner

Author:Jason Sumner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rodale
Published: 2013-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

9 CLUES FOR CRITERIUM RACERS

With its high-speed corners and rocket-fast laps, criterium, or “crit,” racing is one of the most exciting things you can do on a bicycle. And because it’s immensely popular in the United States, it provides one of the easiest ways to dip your cleats in the bike-racing waters. Here’s how to get your feet wet.

1. WARM UP THOROUGHLY AND GET A STARTING POSITION IN THE FIRST THREE ROWS. Do whatever it takes to stay near the front when the gun sounds.

2. BE PREPARED TO RIDE HARD FROM THE START. In most criteriums, the initial laps are blazing. Have confidence that the pace will become more tolerable as the race goes on.

3. FIGHT TO MAINTAIN A GOOD POSITION IN THE PACK. It’s easier (and safer) to stay at the front than to ride at the back and try to move up.

4. KNOW HOW TO CORNER SAFELY. Stay relaxed, with your elbows flexed, so when someone bumps you, you won’t lose control. Get confident by riding the corners fast during your warmup. In the race, instead of focusing on the rider in front of you, look at least four or five riders ahead so you can spot danger in time to react.

5. BE A SAVVY RACER. It’s after the halfway point that the racing really begins. Because early attacks and breakaways rarely succeed, be careful about using your energy to join them. Also, try to notice which riders have poor bike-handling skills or bikes with mechanical problems, such as worn tires or skipping drivetrains, and stay away from them. They are the ones most likely to crash.

6. ALWAYS FINISH STRONG. Often there’s an attack with a kilometer to go and a counterattack 500 meters from the line, and the sprint starts with 250 meters left. Always be ready to jump. If you aren’t a strong sprinter, don’t wait for the line to come into sight. Try a solo breakaway; then time-trial for all you’re worth. If you can get a gap, you might just make it stick.

7. DON’T GET DISCOURAGED. Because of factors such as drafting, luck, and position in the pack at crucial moments, the strongest rider doesn’t always win. In fact, most criterium racers serve a lengthy apprenticeship before doing well. Never let poor early performances get you down.

8. DON’T QUIT. At some point in nearly every race, you’re going to want out. No matter how much it hurts, try to fight through the pain. If every race is a huge struggle, however, examine your training methods.

9. DEVELOP ALL OF YOUR ABILITIES. Experiment with different tactics because that’s the way you’ll improve. It’s a truism in racing that in order to win, you have to risk losing.

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