On a hilly course, it's relatively easy to break away or attack a break group if you are strong. If
you have team mates you can trade attacks and get a free ride as the others chase to work down the
opposition. If the course is flat tactics become much more important because it is much harder to
escape. My feeling is that in a flat race the best way to break away is to attack early because at
the end of the race it is going to be hard to surprise anyone.
The 125 mile Great Levy Challenge Pro/1/2 road race last weekend in Florida was a classic example of
tactical riding.
The course was pancake flat. A small group went up the road about 20 miles into the race and the six
of them held their break together for over 100 miles. Back in the pack there were plenty of strong
riders including a number of individuals that were capable of catching the break if they would work
together. The problem was that with the flat roads any chase group that formed would quickly become
too big and would not work well together. The small break stayed together until the end when it
split up leaving three guys to sprint it out and a forth guy who soloed in just ahead of the pack.
The guys in that break were really bold!
I was part of a bunch of chase groups but we basically never really had a chase group that would
work well together because everyone was keying off of Kent Bostic and watching him to see what he
would do. There was also lots of effective blocking by the teams who had riders up the road.
...Mark
"Round Lump" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:No, the real question is has anyone on this newsgroup ever been in a breakaway? (and no, Cat 4
races do not count)
"oldman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:From Velonews training tip by Joe Friel, he sez..
<snip> If your team is lucky enough to have more than one rider in the break, you will probably
want to start attacking as the finish approaches. Exactly where and when depends on the course
and the competition. With more than one teammate you are in the perfect position to alternate
attacks, wearing the other riders down by making them chase. With any luck they will eventually
give up, leaving your rider to solo in for the win, while the other teammate sits on waiting to
go for the second spot. <snip>
My question is how to do alternate attacks if all are equally strong?
cheers! oldman
