Criteriums: When to attack?

DC Bruz said:

No need for filler or [censored]. Simple question folks.

When is the best time to attack?

I know it would be stupid to assume that there is a simple answer to this question. Undoubtedly there are numerous factors that can be integral in deciding whether an attrack succeds or fails. In hindsight this question isn't all that simple. What I'm looking for is what factors I need to consider when attacking.

There is usually a defining moment in most races when the bulk of riders hesitate and think of survival....(often after a series of big attacks) thats often the best time to go

DC Bruz said:

No need for filler or [censored]. Simple question folks.

When is the best time to attack?

I know it would be stupid to assume that there is a simple answer to this question. Undoubtedly there are numerous factors that can be integral in deciding whether an attrack succeds or fails. In hindsight this question isn't all that simple. What I'm looking for is what factors I need to consider when attacking.

It's always best to attack on the hardest, most selective section of the course that suits your abilities. In most crits this might mean a small hill, corner, or wind-exposed section. Most attacks don't get away the first time, you should plan on attacking several times or countering someone elses move. The best time will always be when the race is hardest and everyone else is pegged, you just have to have the legs to do it. That said, there are a lot of crits where simply nothing is going to get away.

I think by definition you're going to get a lot of info to your question, and therefore a lot of filler and probably some bs. Your question is one step more specific than "how do I race a criterium?". If the factors in deciding when to attack were concrete, they'd have been published 50 years ago.

The best riders out there simply attack until they break their opponent's legs. It can be on flat courses, hilly courses, whatever. When I go racing, the same individuals are dictating virtually every race. If you're one of them, then you don't need to ask this question. If you aren't one of them (I'm not), then you probably should not attack - instead, you should probably wait till a break containing these dominant racers is just up the road (usually under a 10 second gap) and the field looks a bit haggard. Jump across and pray. I've succeeded in finishing in the break just once doing this but I've been in a lot of breaks which eventually came back. It's worth a try.

But if you want a more specific answer, one that isn't quite so cynical, keep reading 🙂

Do you fare well in field sprints? Are you peloton astute so that you are reasonably confident you'll be in, say, the top 5 with 200 meters to go (which really means 3rd through 5th)? Or do you have dedicated teammates who will deposit you there? Then the answer is to never attack, simply follow and wait for 200 meters to go. A good sprinter is very, very hard to beat in a sprint. Even if the sprinter doesn't win, the sprinter can typically place top 10 or so. Sprinters will roll the dice with every field sprint and hope their number comes up. Jimmy Casper (Cofidis) is not an overwhelming favorite in field sprints yet he got one in a spectacular field sprint this year in the Tour. He also "lost" all the other sprints.

On the other hand, is your sprint lacking the edge necessary to win an all out field sprint? Do you have teammates who will assist you (block, leadout, chase)? Then have your teammates attack one after another till the whole field is falling apart and then have one of them lead you out on your attack. If you are solo, ride super conservative, don't even pedal if you can help it, keep your heartrate at practically resting level, and then wait for a big move to get brought back. Then go for it. If you're confident of your skills, do it before 10k to go. In the last few laps of the race it's very difficult to escape those who, with their team, have waited that long for a field sprint. The racers who come to mind are those like Jelle Nijdam (sp?), Ekimov, or Vinikourov in last year's final stage.

You'll have to factor in opposing teams as well as opposing racers.

You should be more conservative if: there is a team known for its ability to close major gaps quickly; there are a number of strong sprinters supported by their (possibly not as capable) teammates; you are not feeling great; your equipment puts you at a disadvantage (aero wheels can be worth 2+ mph in a break).

You'll want to be more aggressive if: there is a dominant team (typically dominant in numbers) who can't chase well; the strongest riders are individuals with no teams (so they'll probably join your break); there is a course obstacle which favors you (hill, wind, rain, dirt, etc); you have very good aero wheels (Specialized/HED, ZIPP, Cosmics, Boras); you are feeling very good; your feeler attacks take a while to get brought back.

Hope this helps
cdr

DC Bruz said:

No need for filler or [censored]. Simple question folks.

When is the best time to attack?...

It's better to consider factors rather than go through the multitude of scenarios.

1) Do you know who the good riders are?
2) Are they in a break or in the peloton?
3) Is the race difficult or easy for you?
4) Based on your answer to number three, how many effective attacks can you make?

I guessing you're a Cat.4 or 5, so team racing is likely not a factor.

Here's one scenario: The guy who won solo last race takes a flyer. For you the race has been fairly hard and you can't really stay clear of the group for more than a half lap. The guy is going up the road and it looks like he's going away. People start attacking trying to bridge. You decide to follow wheels near the front -- always on a wheel but never more than 10 riders back. The attacks slowly start to bring the guy back when suddenly everyone slows and the front of the group mushrooms.

Here's the perfect time to attack, and knowing this, you also know that you're likely not the only person with this knowledge. So, instead of attacking, you wait, watch for the attack, grab the wheel and now you're starting across to the guy out front with at least one other guy helping.

That's just one scenario.

I'd have to know your fitness level, but regardless, you can't be competitive racing in the back of the group. But then again, it's not smart to ride from the front the entire time. That's the adjustment you have to make. How long can I stay near the front and when you're there how active can you be.

The fact that you're asking the question suggests that you believe you have an anaerobic power premium relative to the field. So, let's assume that you do. That still leaves open the question, "Attack for what purpose?" If you feel that your sprint is only so-so relative to the field, you might want to attack to deplete their AC and improve your chances of winning the sprint or outright dropping some of the strong sprinters. If this is the gameplan, then attack early and often, basically constantly. Your goal is to force them to use up their AC any way you can. OTOH, if you feel you have one of the best sprints in the field, I'd say attack much less frequently because you want to preserve your AC/NM as much as possible. If that's the gameplan, then just basically respond to attacks by others, throw in a few of your own only if the field gets lazy and lie in wait. The answer to this question rests entirely on your assessment of your AC and NM strengths relative to the field.

attack on a hard section that suits you! either a bunch of corners if thats what your good at, a headwind if your good at that or a rise in the road if that tickles your pickle. So once you know the section of the crit you are going to attack on wait for a moment of hesitation eg after a sprint lap or after they have finished catching another break.

After that work out how hard you need to ride to stay away eg if half the course is uphill and into a headwind dedicate more pwer to that section and try to soft pedal/ rest the legs after you pick up speed on the way back!

Its also nice to get in a break with a group of riders...preferably they are very strong but not TOO strong 😄 . Maybe you could wait until a bunch goes up the road and then try to bridge the gap...When a break goes make sure you dont drag every1 else with you on your back wheel. Maybe wait until there 100metres and then surprise the pack with a sudden burst. This way they will probably just let you go and not sit on your wheel until you eventually catch up to the bunch.

As RD said make sure that an attack is actually in your best interests... if your a gun sprinter its probably best to save your legs.

carpediemracing said:

...aero wheels can be worth 2+ mph in a break...

All good advice, except here where you missed the decimal point: .2+mph
😉