The Domestique

Teammate Ian Magale gets the holeshot on the 1-2 field at Eagle Island and might have held it, well maybe. Richard Feldman (World Champ and super-cool guy) may have had something to say about it. The intro is shows the drama and the race is at 4:10.

Two Questions:

Is it worth it to be on the front?
Should you always pass whenever you have a chance?

Black wallnut 

Answer #1 I am not sure I'll ever find out. Started on the front row once, didn't work out for me.
Answer #2 I think it is always best to pass whenever you have the opportunity.

FrozenK

Answer to 1, yes it is worth to be on the front. Not necessarily going for the holeshot but being in front helps a lot.

Answer to 2, no, not always. Some times you are better off letting the guy in front burn up trying to stay ahead or waiting for the right section to pass.

jfmckenna

Generally speaking if you are not passing anyone then you are going backwards. My philosophy has always been that a cross race is more like an individual TT then anything else and so you should not use other racing tactics in cross. If you feel like you can pass then do it and keep it rolling. Don't forget if you come up to a rider who was ahead of you at the start of the race then he's going backwards and there is no real benefit in drafting in CX so just get around him and go.

grolby

I do not agree with this. Of course it is heavily dependent on the course and the overall ability level of the field, your own ability level, particular circumstances and so on. But there are many occasions in cyclocross where it is not a TT and being able to think tactically is incredibly valuable. If you are moving up in the field, you may need to make a judgement call as you close in on another rider - do you ride through, or try to work together? Mostly it should be pretty obvious if someone isn't going to be able to hang as you go by. I absolutely rode my way up to a group yesterday after a bad start, and then sat on wheels for several laps, recovering and waiting for a good moment to attack. Group riding is a thing to think about in CX, for sure.

As for being at the front. I've recently started getting front row starts this season. And it is nice! Especially if you are often not a great starter, it can make your life easier. Even as someone who starts well, I find it nice, because assuming I don't blow it on the clip-in, I have to do a lot less work just to get up to the front of the race. But front row starts also aren't required for good results and I've had a number of good results this season from deep in the field. As for leading in general, again, it's a tactical question. For example: are you stronger than the other riders around you on an upcoming feature? Try to be in front when the group tackles the feature, you can use it as a springboard for an attack, or just to make them work a little harder to get back on, and you can avoid being hung up by someone else's mistake.

gamby

That is such a rad course. Looks like a blast.

Scotia_Cyclist

Starts are important and I agree with grolby on the tatics.. cross is very tactical. i'm not a good racer for a number of reason right now since I'm way out of shape and rusty with my bike handling. I really suffered in a twisty course last weekend too.

if you can get to the front you should be there but leading the entire race unless you have ridden away with it is also not that smart.

riding 4th or 5th wheel in a group and letting others pull you up to the front is a great tactic and depending on the course there are sections you can draft.

jfmckenna

The problem with getting in a group during a cross race is that you will then be traveling at the groups speed. While doing that there will be some one else out there going faster whether they are in front of you getting away or behind you catching up. There could be an advantage for you if you are the weakest in the group and the stronger ones sort of compel you to hang on when otherwise you would have given up.

I do recall winning a race once where I was off the front with 3 guys. In a situation like that it's a bit different because you have to try and gauge their strengths and weakness on the course and once you figure that out you know when to attack. So I'm not saying in all cases bunching up is a bad idea but generally I think it is... Least it works for me.