Mountain Bike Racing - Does anyone stalk their competition?

Do any racers stalk their competion? By this I mean, do you look up who is registered in your class and then look up their past race times? My thought is this: If person X signs up to race and you don't know them, but you know you usually beat person Y, and you can see that Person Y usually beats person X, then there's a good probability that you will beat person X.

I do this because I'd like to set me racing goals realistically. I know that I'll arrive on race day and do my best, but it's something that I find fun to do as the race day approaches. I think about the competitors while I train and it helps me stay focused.

Does anyone take it farther and look up their competitors on Facebook? Depending on how privacy settings are set, you may see their wall or pictures. This can give an indication if biking is a huge part of their lives, if they post about their training plans, if they think they'll win their next race.... Not saying I do this, I'm just saying......

My team mates were appalled when I let it slip that I've looked up my competitors. Now they just laugh. But I have a funny feeling that many other racers out there do the same things I do!

Around here some people watch their competition on Strava.com. You can even see how much training they are doing on the bike, etc. I know of a couple of people watching me on Strava because often do the same courses I do, a day or two after I do.

Yeah, I don't do this... but I'm slow as a rock rolling uphill and when I race, I just try to pace myself well, ride well, and end up where I end up. Maybe if my results start improving I'll start taking more interest :p

I don't stalk my competition but the scene here is so small we all know each other

I do look at people I know who are marginal faster than me last year and aim to beat their times last on the same course this season.

You better believe it! All serious racers do it. It's like a football team watching footage of their next opponent - just standard procedure.

Standard operating procedure.
Ohno

I find Strava helpful for this. Especially when I've done a big block of training and little racing. I can compare Strava segment times with people quicker and slower and then check our clubs race results to see where they sitting. That way I can get a rough idea of any fitness gains from my training. Strava can be a very powerful training tool.
I am also known to google my competition and try to cross reference them with strava to get an idea of my chances, or how much I need to improve my fitness before the event. This has tactical benefits by knowing what your key opponents are capable of