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Last Updated: 19 Jul 2021 - 7:26:24 PM |
The Basics of Tactics for Irish Road Racing
By Paddy Doran
12 Mar 2010,
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This year has seen a large influx of new riders to cycling races in Ireland. When suddenly racing in a bunch of 100+ riders beginners may be wondering whats going on, and what is the the best approach to tactics. As we all know the strongest rider does not always win the race, sometimes a more experienced, smarter rider can beat stronger riders by racing smarter and this is one of the most fascinating things about bike racing.
Generally when riders are at the same ability levels the one who can apply tactics best will most likely be successful.
Tactics for Beginner Road Cyclists
For beginners it is important to learn the basics of tactics so that they have some chance of getting the best performance and result possible in relation to their ability and fitness levels.
Riders should try to develop a sense of adventure, confidence, and willingness to try different tactics, which is the most effective way to improve your tactical awareness.
Aerodynamics
A lot of road cycling tactics are based on aerodynamics, wind resistance and the fact that the leading rider / s on flat sections will expend more energy than riders who are sheltered from the wind either by sitting immediately behind the leading riders wheel or by riding in the middle of the group.
For example a rider sitting in the middle of a group of cyclists riding at 30 + Kilometres per hour may only need to work at 50 - 70 % of the effort of the leading riders which creates a big difference in the amount of energy expended by the riders. And as we all have a limited amount of energy it's important to use it to best effect
This fact has a large bearing on tactics.
Some people seem to have a natural ability to apply good tactics where others need to work harder to become proficient. So familiarise yourself with the basics and try them in races.
Keep it Simple
Physical fitness and genetic ability. You need to be physically fit to apply race tactics and if you are a beginner you will only know what your ability is after a few races, then you can begin to plan more tactically before events.
You must also decide are you most likely to be successful in a bunch or group finish, if you have a good sprint this is most likely. Or by breaking away and coming to the finish alone or in a small group, if your sprint is not the strongest but you have really good endurance this is most likely the best tactic.
How do Tactics Work?
There are Three Basic Strategies
1. Attack: If you are one of the strongest riders
2. Defend / Sit in: If you are not so strong
3. Wait & See: If you are not sure about your own or opponent's ability wait and see how the race develops.
It's the law of the jungle, If you are the strongest attack, if you are not the strongest protect yourself and look for opportunities that present themselves.
What you can do before races to help with tactics
- Look at the history of the race and talk with experienced cyclist's about the race. Does this race usually finish in a bunch sprint or it usually won from a small breakaway? On what part of the course do breaks usually go?
- Check the local weather forecast before the event, especially the wind direction as this often has a big bearing on races
- Familiarise yourself with the circuit to determine
- Which will be headwind-sidewind-tailwind sections
- Are there hills where the race is likely to break up
- Look at the last few kilometres and especially the last kilometre to prepare for a sprint finish, look for a landmark to begin your sprint from
When are breakaway attempts likely to be successful?
- When other riders are tired and strong riders attack
- On hills
- With tailwinds or sidewinds
- Counterattacks as the bunch catches a breakaway, you will notice experienced riders often do this.
- When the bunch slows
How to attack? Surprise is important to gain those first few metres that might lead to a successful breakaway. So you need to be well positioned near to the front of the group and attack from a few riders back from the front of the group. Attacking from the front of a group is usually unsuccessful as everyone sees the attack before you have time to open a gap
Persistence
From the very beginning riders must accept the following principles.
When attacking there must be a full commitment to the attack! Usually riders must work very hard to create a successful breakaway and this usually involves pain because of the intensive efforts involved. The first few miles are usually the most important and difficult when there may be a determined chase by the group/s behind them.
If the gap is only small, riders must keep the pressure on until the break is successful or they are caught. What often happens if the pressure is kept on, is the stronger riders make it across to the break and the break then moves away and opens a race-winning gap.
So its important to learn to just keep riding hard until the breakaway is either caught or a winning gap established. Looking around to see is the next group catching the breakaway will be dangerous, a distraction from the task and will encourage the chasers.
If there are some riders not contributing to the breakaway in the early stages of the attempt they should be ignored by the stronger riders, and encouraged to work when they are able to. Often riders who are sitting on in the early stages of breaks are just about hanging on to the group at that stage and most riders will contribute when they are recovered or when the speed of the breakaway group steadies down. However if a winning gap is opened, riders should work or at least have the decency not to sprint at the finish.
Chasing a Breakaway Attempt
I still have to see better advice in this regard than a piece of advice from a 1970s French training manual, and that is that 100 metres is a lot easier to close than two minutes so quick reactions to breakaway attempts are essential if your goal is to go with the breaks or react to attacks from particular riders.
Sprint Finish
- Get a good position near to the front of the bunch while still getting good shelter.
- Know the wind direction and gradient of the finish to determine where to position yourself and when to begin your sprint.
- If it�s a headwind get shelter to as near to the line as possible before your final sprint for the line.
- If it�s a side wind plan to sprint on the sheltered side of the group
- If� it�s a tailwind you can begin your final sprint a bit further out.
- If you are not a really fast sprinter,you might take a chance and attack near the finish if there are stalls in the bunch tailwinds are best for this tactic
Setting Goals/ Tactics for the Race.
Set realistic goals and tactics based your own and your opponents ability and fitness. If you are a beginner it's going to take you time to get to know your own and opponents ability. This will be achieved through racing regularly in races suitable to your ability and being a bit adventurous and trying different tactics in different races. It will also improve as your fitness improves
What if you're fitness level only allows you to sit in the bunch and get through the race. Then your tactic is to survive and this can be as much of a challenge and as satisfying if you achieve your goal. So you need to plan to get optimum shelter follow reliable riders who will get you through corners efficiently etc and staying in the top to middle part of the bunch where you will get maximum shelter and avoid the whiplash effect that riders near the back of the bunch experience in corners.
Review your tactics after the race and take note of how, when and where the race was won, see what you can learn for future races from this
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