Road Cycling - My first road race.

I have my first road race this weekend. March 9. I dont know which group I should race in. The Cat 5 or juniors. Which would you suggest. I ready want to get seen. And I ready want to place maybe even win. Which would be somewhat easier.

I don't know what the racing scene is like down south, but up here in New England, Cat 5 Racing is easier than Junior racing. We have a lot of big Junior development teams / programs that contribute to Junior racing being reasonably hard.

So, should you do the Junior or Cat 5 race? DO BOTH!!!

- Maurizio

Race Juniors first to see how you stack up against the others in your class. If this is a crit, than do the Juniors and 5's both if you feel like it. Cat 5 is usually a crashfest if there are big fields.
Juniors can also petition to do upper cat classes like 4's, 3's and elite races once you build up some experience.

i tried riding with my racer friend today.... i felt like i was gonna die! man i thought i was in shape too!!

I agree do the juniors, if you want try the cat 5, but IMHO cat 5 is going to be filled with people 18+ who may have more stamina/strenght/speed due to their age....

age, stamina and speed have no correlation in regards to one day races.

Ok I will race juniors. I hope I place, or at least place in the top 10. Thanks for all your inforamation.

Racer X: "...petition to do upper cat classes..."

I don't know what you mean by this, but I'm a Cat 2 Junior (17, but my racing age this year will be 18, the last in the junior ranks) and I had to go about upgrading just like any other senior rider -- with serious results. I don't know what you mean by "petition."

Vegas: Junior races are not easier than Cat 5 races. Yes, it is true that as you get older, your potential (stamina/strength/speed) becomes greater... but Category 5 riders are category 5 riders rather than category 1 riders because they are not at their full potential.

I know, and have raced with, a junior who at only 17 (racing age 18) placed third (THIRD!!!) in the NRC opener in florida a week or two ago. Not only was he probably the youngest rider in the race, but he was the first placed amateur -- being beaten only by John Lieswin and another 7-Up teammate.

That junior is probably fulfilling most, if not all, of his potential at his age. BTW: He was a Cat 1 a year ago.

Originally posted by RacerX
age, stamina and speed have no correlation in regards to one day races.

they don't sprint to the finish?



Originally posted by Maurizio
Vegas: Junior races are not easier than Cat 5 races. Yes, it is true that as you get older, your potential (stamina/strength/speed) becomes greater... but Category 5 riders are category 5 riders rather than category 1 riders because they are not at their full potential.

I know, and have raced with, a junior who at only 17 (racing age 18) placed third (THIRD!!!) in the NRC opener in florida a week or two ago. Not only was he probably the youngest rider in the race, but he was the first placed amateur -- being beaten only by John Lieswin and another 7-Up teammate.

That junior is probably fulfilling most, if not all, of his potential at his age. BTW: He was a Cat 1 a year ago.

I never said it was easier, I am implying that he will be more at riders his level. I understand that there can be amazing young people who ride better then pros. However, being this his first race I still recomend going juniors while you can.

Tim I was faced with this same decision when I started racing four years ago. I am going to have to disagree with most of the people saying that you should race the juniors. You would probably be best off racing the Cat 5s because they are a "beginner" skill level group. The 5's might be a bit sketchy, but you will learn a lot about racing. And they might be older than you, but I doubt any of them would be significantly stronger(otherwise they wouldnt be a 5). Depending on the race, I believe there are a few things that can happen:
1: The juniors field will definately be small, and you will not learn a lot about large pack tactics.
2: The field may contain riders far above your ability level (I was a Cat 3 as a junior, and I raced against 1's and 2's)
3: If this is the case, then you will probably be dropped in the first lap.(im guessing you've never fought for a wheel through a turn at 30mph- it can be scary the first time)

My advice to you is to do the 5's race, be careful, and dont be too cocky. Dont make any big moves until the last couple of laps. Some people will tell you there are too many crashes, but the races I have been in with lots of crashes are the ones where I learned the most about my nerves and riding skill. Also, it's your first race, so dont go into it thinking "I have to get a high placing" or "I want to get noticed". Just go into the race thinking about staying with the front group, or concentrating on mainting good field position. In a cat 5 race usually nothing happens until the end, so save yourself for a sprint.
:D

My advice is to NOT ask for advice about a race from strangers.
Go find someone, who "knows" your race "scene".

Ask that person what you will get out of each race. Let them know what you like about racing and any plans or races you want to try later in the season.

Generally, racing the larger field, or longer course promotes improvement faster. But that may NOT be the case everytime.

Find someone who knows.