Thread: Crit Q
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Old 07-10-14 | 07:30 PM
  #14  
carpediemracing
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Tariffville, CT

Bikes: Tsunami road bikes, Dolan DF4 track

Originally Posted by bbbean
It's true. My power tops out around 900 watts or so, and I can't hold it at that level very long.
Is that peak or 5s?

If it's peak are you just accelerating in that gear? Do you shift while you sprint? If you aren't shifting while you sprint then you might want to try that. In a good sprint I can hit close to the same peak at least twice and a great sprint would have a third peak that's just 10% lower or so. This means instead of one peak I have 2 3/4 peaks. That goes a long way in defeating someone trying to come around me.

If you aren't hitting 1000w peak then you need things to go your way in a sprint, but you can do it. I won a sprint without breaking 1000w. Granted it was a training race, but it was an A race so it had Cat 2s and such. It had started to rain and they called the race. I gambled on them calling the race when the rain started and got into position. It only took a lap or two for them to call it. Therefore I was in a good position. I also knew the roads were super slick since it'd just started raining. The final corner was a bit sharp/sketchy, the finish straight is actually curved. This set the scenario for my sprint plan.

I knew that there were only two small spots where someone could pass me - immediately after the final corner, where it's still straight, or the final 50 meters, when it's straight again. The curved part has lines in it (it's 4 lanes with solid white lines separating the lanes) so it'd be hard to pass during the curve. I gambled on the group letting me lead it out, neutralizing the first passing spot (since I'd jump and everyone would want to only follow me). They'd want to pass me "later", not realizing that the curved part would be too slick to really put the power down. That left the final straight. I decided to hold back a bit so that I could jump again just before the line. It would make it very hard for someone to pass me.

I did exactly what I planned and it went exactly how I expected. I was dying as I got to the line, really slowing, and I got swarmed just after the line. But I'd beaten everyone else. It was done. I think my peak wattage was 980w or something and my sprint was something like 700-800w. A normal sprint for me is more like 1200-1300w peak, 900w for a bit (15 seconds?), and if it's a really good sprint then 1100w for almost 20 seconds.

Also, in the race video thread, there's a bunch of clips by collin2985. He seems to be a similar type rider and he's been doing pretty well. His last clip posted in that thread is here. For some of his clips I offer some feedback.
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