I've always wondered...
04-26-07, 10:35 AM
#1
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I've always wondered...
If everyone knows not to pull during a race...who the hell is doing all the pulling?
04-26-07, 10:37 AM
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Riders/teams who want to attack or drive up the pace of the race. Comes in handy for wearing out the sprinters.
If a team has riders in the breakaway, they'll actually stay at the front of the pack in an effort to bring the pace down.
If a team has riders in the breakaway, they'll actually stay at the front of the pack in an effort to bring the pace down.
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04-26-07, 10:41 AM
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Often no one is pulling in the sense of putting in a lot of work. But at any time someone might attack and if they do you don't want to be at teh back of the pack, so some would rather do a little extra work instead of taking the risk. (Same re crashes). Then if a hilly or cobble section the chance of a break goes up. ...
04-26-07, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Keith99
Often no one is pulling in the sense of putting in a lot of work. But at any time someone might attack and if they do you don't want to be at teh back of the pack, so some would rather do a little extra work instead of taking the risk. (Same re crashes). Then if a hilly or cobble section the chance of a break goes up. ...
I have a habit of pulling(being top 3-5) early in crits so I can be at the front of the according and cover, if needed. I also tend to put a little pressure on after the corners to try to sting some other guys. Once we settle in is when I tend to drop back a little to recover and try to be ready for something that will stick.
Probably not the best strategy but it seems to work ok for me.
04-26-07, 10:54 AM
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I'll get to the front in my USCF races on the climbs simply because I'm faster up them than the majority of the guys out there. If I can burn some people off the back and simplify the race a little, why wouldn't I do it?
04-26-07, 10:54 AM
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In cat 4/5 races and some 3 races, many people do work because they don't realize they shouldn't be doing work.
In Pro/1/2 races and some 3 races, it seems like nobody pulls unless they're responding to an attack. Its been interesting seeing the difference between the higher cats and lower cats.
This doesn't really apply when there are big climbs involved.
In Pro/1/2 races and some 3 races, it seems like nobody pulls unless they're responding to an attack. Its been interesting seeing the difference between the higher cats and lower cats.
This doesn't really apply when there are big climbs involved.
04-26-07, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by dl613
+1
I have a habit of pulling(being top 3-5) early in crits so I can be at the front of the according and cover, if needed. I also tend to put a little pressure on after the corners to try to sting some other guys. Once we settle in is when I tend to drop back a little to recover and try to be ready for something that will stick.
Probably not the best strategy but it seems to work ok for me.
I have a habit of pulling(being top 3-5) early in crits so I can be at the front of the according and cover, if needed. I also tend to put a little pressure on after the corners to try to sting some other guys. Once we settle in is when I tend to drop back a little to recover and try to be ready for something that will stick.
Probably not the best strategy but it seems to work ok for me.
04-26-07, 11:30 AM
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Actually in a lot of lower cat races there are periods where nobody is willing to pull and do any work and the pace slows to 18-20mph.
04-26-07, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by MDcatV
accordion?
04-26-07, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Doggus
If everyone knows not to pull during a race...who the hell is doing all the pulling?
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04-26-07, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by TheKillerPenguin
In cat 4/5 races and some 3 races, many people do work because they don't realize they shouldn't be doing work.
In Pro/1/2 races and some 3 races, it seems like nobody pulls unless they're responding to an attack. Its been interesting seeing the difference between the higher cats and lower cats.
This doesn't really apply when there are big climbs involved.
In Pro/1/2 races and some 3 races, it seems like nobody pulls unless they're responding to an attack. Its been interesting seeing the difference between the higher cats and lower cats.
This doesn't really apply when there are big climbs involved.
That's what I hate about crits. It's riding around then a sprint finish. Which is why US riders struggle against the Pro Tour teams. They sprint. That's about it, really.
You could definitely see that in the Virginia race, even with the difficult weather conditions.
04-26-07, 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by TheKillerPenguin
In cat 4/5 races and some 3 races, many people do work because they don't realize they shouldn't be doing work.
Regardless of where you're in the field, I think it's always a good idea to ask why you are there. If you can't think of a good reason, you prob shouldn't be there.
04-26-07, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
That's what I hate about crits. It's riding around then a sprint finish. Which is why US riders struggle against the Pro Tour teams. They sprint. That's about it, really.
Last edited by bitterken; 04-26-07 at 12:44 PM.
04-26-07, 12:43 PM
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Yep, your not supposed to pull, not supposed to be in the back 2/3, be in the front 1/3 but NOT in the front.
That, my friends, maked for a standard Ohio cat 4 race in 2006. 40 mile recovery ride followed by a sprint.
I'm in the front half of the time, the back half of the time and in the middle for the other half.
That, my friends, maked for a standard Ohio cat 4 race in 2006. 40 mile recovery ride followed by a sprint.
I'm in the front half of the time, the back half of the time and in the middle for the other half.
04-26-07, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
That's what I hate about crits. It's riding around then a sprint finish.
04-26-07, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by cat4ever
Yep, your not supposed to pull, not supposed to be in the back 2/3, be in the front 1/3 but NOT in the front.
That, my friends, maked for a standard Ohio cat 4 race in 2006. 40 mile recovery ride followed by a sprint.
I'm in the front half of the time, the back half of the time and in the middle for the other half.
That, my friends, maked for a standard Ohio cat 4 race in 2006. 40 mile recovery ride followed by a sprint.
I'm in the front half of the time, the back half of the time and in the middle for the other half.
That's like ... <counts on fingers> ... 3 halves. Your racing an extra half. Stop doing that.
04-26-07, 01:01 PM
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I've seen plenty of crits with successful breaks. It's not rare at all.
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04-26-07, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by recursive
I've seen plenty of crits with successful breaks. It's not rare at all.
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04-26-07, 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by cat4ever
I'm in the front half of the time, the back half of the time and in the middle for the other half.
04-26-07, 03:32 PM
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I've ended up on the front a few times, not counting the times I'm trying to take one for the team. For instance, last Sunday, I jumped up to a guy who rolled off the front. The whole pack strung out and caught up also. Then the original guy faded off, leaving me in the front. I slowed down, but didn't want to peel off, because I would have ended up fighting to get back on a wheel. In cases like those, I try to slow down just enough to prompt an attack that I will hopefully be able to jump on.
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04-26-07, 04:44 PM
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correct
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04-26-07, 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by botto
marines.