Originally Posted by
aaronmcd
Still, 2nd place isn't bad. Can't win em all. From my very small experience it seems like sprinting is ALL about timing (probably even more so without a team). Figure out who is in contention, where they all are, where you want to be at every moment, who is waiting to go and who is fading, and pick JUST the right time to go. This is all without a team, mind you... Is that what it's like from your perspective in the higher cats as well? Is it different with a team?
Even with a team, it's all about timing. But yeah you have to be aware of your competitors no matter the category. "You need a head on a swivel" was what a cat 3 that taught me a lot once said. Try to develop the sixth sense for when guys are going to go from behind, etc. (I could've used that today!)
A team leadout, when done right, can make a sprint seem almost easy. If the leadout is fast enough, you can wait until you're ready and go, and never even see a wheel creeping up on you.. what a feeling!