Road Bike Racing - what speed for each cat.

I will be competeing in my first road events this year. The first one will be in May. I need to gauge myself before I get out there. I will be riding in the 34 yr old cat 5 to start. My group did a pretty good ride today 40 miles @ 22 mph. I can do a 3 mile time trial on flat roads in about 9 min or a little less. Can someone tell me how that will rank up and what do I need to look forward to at Cat 5 and Cat 4. My goal is to move up to Cat 4 at years end. Am I just setting goals to high? I have been riding in the sport class mt bike and not doing well but don't like sandbagging in beginner class like those I am racing in sport who should move on up.

Beas

Road race or crit?

For a crit, expect speeds around 26-28. You need to be able to accelerate out of corners to close any gap that may have formed between you and the riders in front of you. You will be dropped quickly if you can't.

Flat road races should see the same speeds though it's slightly easier since you could park yourself in the middle of the pack if you wanted to.

Remember, it's not always the strongest or flat-out fastest rider that wins. You have to ride smart.

You aren't necessarily setting your sights too high. All it takes for an upgrade is to compete in 10 mass start events.

In my vast racing experience, the differentiator isn't being able to maintain a fast average (also important, but...), it's being able to go with the break. Going with an attack on a 3 minute climb, a counterattack just after a break has been reeled in. You're close to maxed out, and now you have to come up with 30% more or get dropped.

Sandbagging or not, the main reason for doing time as a Cat 5 is learning not to be a menace before moving up.