[CR]Re: Track racing / miss and out tactics

(Example: Production Builders:Pogliaghi)

Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 12:51:09 -0500
From: "Jamie Swan" <jswan@optonline.net>
To: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
x-mac-creator=4D4F5353
Subject: [CR]Re: Track racing / miss and out tactics

First off, I agree with John Pergolizzi. Tactics only matter if the riders are close in ability. I can't tell you how many times I've been dusted by some guy who is as dumb as a stump but strong as an ox.

This is my take on miss and out tactics: The simplest is to break away early. The overall pace is not that fast and it saves you responding to do all the accelerations. The field is usually not concerned with catching you early and later on no one will be willing to extend them self because they will be afraid of getting nipped at the line. Lots of miss and outs are won this way.

If you are not the time trialer type then stick to the group. There are 2 phases to the race. The first phase is when there is not enough width on the track so that everybody can ride abreast at the finish line. During the first phase if you are in the back as the finish line approaches you might have plenty of energy left but no place to go. This is a bad situation because everyone at the front is actually floating because they know that their position is secure and they don't want to put their face in the wind. The riders in the back are desperately trying to find a hole to stuff their wheel in. Lots of wheel lapping. Not safe. The real race is happening every lap after you cross the line and you have to accelerate hard to establish your position.

If you are clever enough to ride the back of this group you can get a little rest before phase 2 starts. The trick is to create a box between your rear wheel and the pole line. If you position yourself slightly above the rider on the pole but you are lapping his wheel to the right. Usually there will be some sucker who is willing to follow his wheel. He is boxed in and he will get called out. If you want to play it cute you sit up and point to him as you cross the line. Not recommended.

If you are not comfortable with that game do what John said and ride it from the front and stay low on the track. When the group crosses the line there will be a little bit of coast down until the somebody initiates the acceleration. Now it is time to get out of the saddle and gas it. Remember you are not actually racing to the line. Positions are pretty well set up by the time you reach turn 4. Fight for your spot then defend it in the home stretch. Only go as fast as you have to to keep your spot. Now do that again. Getting tired?

OK you survived to the point where there is enough room for every body to spread out across the track.

If there is anyone away it is a great time to try to jump across to him. Be sure that you don't take anyone with you. Sprint across to him like it was the end of the race. As you are bearing down on him start talking to him. "Swing up! Get my wheel". He will. Your momentum will carry you past him. Let him drop on to your wheel for 5 seconds then swing up. Now you go into 2 man pursuit mode. Keep the pulls super short. Keep your face close to your bars. If you have to take a little longer pull so that he winds up taking the up wind pull do it. Keep an eye on the pack.

If there is nobody away or you don't have what it takes to get across then you have your choice of trying to sucker somebody into the box or actually dukeing it out. Most of the suckers are spectators by now. Usually it is good to ride it from the front and stay low. Shelter beckons but it is real easy to get boxed. You have to gut it out. Race with your strength. If you are a real monster lead it out and make them suffer. If you are more of a pure sprinter then you will be doing the suffering and you have to try your best to come around each lap. This is very taxing because you have to do it every lap. If you play it right you might wind up the last man standing. Next week we will talk about points races...

I had fun writing this. Sorry if I got carried away. Jamie Swan - Northport, New York