Road Bike Racing - Junior Crit. Tips

I decided to go down to the velodrome yesterday to check it out, and it turns out they were having a junior session goin' on, so I decided to join in on the fun. They were running a few miniraces and I ended winning all of them (don't know how to word this in a humble way :o ) and after the sessions ended some of the mentors told me to try out a 30 mile, 15-lap practice crit, taking place tomorrow.

I wanted to know some tips for:

1) Where should I position myself in the pack while the pace is slower? Higher?

2) If I decide to break, when would usually be the most opportune moment?

3) Where should I be to set up the final sprint?

As always, all thoughts are appreciated and I'll be sure to give a race report!

I think the rule of thumb in crits is to stay towards the front but not at the front. If you
are in the middle of the pack or farther back you get caught up in the accordion effect.
The pack stretches out going through the corners and if you are behind a ton of people
you end up having to accelerate pretty hard to get back on. The people in the front
can take the corners at a faster pace.

I wouldn't worry too much about #2 and #3. Just try to stay towards the front, don't overlap
wheels if you can help it and just enjoy yourself. After a few races, you'll begin to get an
idea where your strengths are and when would be appropriate to attack. Maybe just try a
few things if you feel strong. There's nothing wrong with trying to attack just to see if you can
do it. Go out to try stuff to see what it feels like and if you can pull it off. Later in the season,
or next season then worry about doing it to get results.

Don't try to think to much during the race. Just ride. Fast.

Like Snicklefritz said, if you can stay in the top third so you don't get slowed during the corners (for some reason someone will almost always slow down) but other than that just do what you're comfortable with.

I started to race not to long ago, im a junior as well. I agree about the acordian effect, position yourself in the pack were you are at a good level for yourself but not to far back. I break away when I feel that I can sustain the break/sprint till the finish. If you cannot break away for the lead, or you get caught, try to position yourself behind the people who you think will go for the sprint, have them break your wind and when they go for it, ride their wheel and jump when you feel good enough to battle for 1st.

Maybe someones got better advice but thats what has been working for me. I have won a few races all using those tactics and all by 100 plus feet in front of the chasers/peloton. Now racing cat 3/4.

I started to race not to long ago, im a junior as well. I agree about the acordian effect, position yourself in the pack were you are at a good level for yourself but not to far back. I break away when I feel that I can sustain the break/sprint till the finish. If you cannot break away for the lead, or you get caught, try to position yourself behind the people who you think will go for the sprint, have them break your wind and when they go for it, ride their wheel and jump when you feel good enough to battle for 1st.

Maybe someones got better advice but thats what has been working for me. I have won a few races all using those tactics and all by 100 plus feet in front of the chasers/peloton. Now racing cat 3/4.

Do like he says.

read Serious Suffering posted here in Racing to see what not to do.