If you are racing in beginner crits, you will not be riding throught tight corners at 25mph, unless you are in the first 5 places.
You are correct in worrying about the corners, but not for the reason you think it will be.
You will be going 25mph plus on the straights, and then some A-hole will put the brakes on for the first corner, slowing everyone down behind him to about 17mph, then its a 30mph sprint to catch back on again. Repeat for the rest of the race pretty much.
No one wants to go more than 3 wide through the corners, but they all want to ride 8 wide down the straights, it just doesnt work.
Just follow the wheel in front of you, and try not to swerve off of the arc you are turning along.
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"You should already be aware that riding with people who steer with their elbows, stick food to the top tube of their frames and ride around in dick togs is not a great idea." -- Classic1