Lithuania

Im not going to lie. No matter how unrealistic it may be I go into each race wanting to WIN. Yes it would be great if a team mate won instead and I would never chase down a team mate but I still plan on winning that race. If I showed up to a race and had 14 team mates there at this low level of racing I would probably be a little bummed. Maybe Im just selfish.

granted, ive never been in a situation like this so perhaps i would feel totally different if i was.

branman1986

Our team usually shows up with 7-9 riders in the big races, but there's really a core 5 that really have the ability to win/work-together. If any of the other 4 are a higher GC contender or make a winning move in a race, I've got no problem doing what I can to keep them there. But if there were 13 other guys, it seems like people would try to make really early moves to beat teammates that were going to make moves later. I dunno...

Since all of our big races are stage races, maybe it plays a little differently here.

Lithuania

I think if you REALLY knew those 14 other team mates it would change things for me too.

DrPete 

We just try to be as active at the front of the race as we can. What that really means varies from week to week. For instance, when I was out in the break at the last race, the team strategy became to keep me out there and let everyone else chase. There is a core group of faster 4's and 3's who will generally save their gas for the end, because they're the best climbers, have the best chances in the field sprint, etc.

If we can put a guy in the top 2-3 every race with some good team tactics, then I still go home from that race considering it a success, and I think that's the way most of our team looks at it.

branman1986

I dunno, our team has two real GC contention guys and already it creates some problems for GC strategy

DrPete 

There's a core group of 8-9 of us who race together regularly. The rest we've all ridden with at least once.

DrPete 

You're right that stage races would have to change the strategy a bit. There just aren't any around here.

MDcatV

Yep, from a strategic standpoint, it's hard not to have competing interests when you have that many guys in the same colors. What you often get is a half effort, which leads to tentative racing, and is worse than no effort at all ... for teams to be effective in winning a race, it's gotta be an all or nothing attitude, unless your goal is to simply place as many in the BAR points as you can, then you just clog up the front and ride around in a ball until the finish - fun, not. That's what I love about the team I'm on, 4 to 8 of us, several are interchangeable parts, if one wins, we all win.

MDcatV

Tour d'ephrata at months end
Fitchburg in June, in NE but drivable
Tour de 'toona at end of July (NRC stage race)
Tour de Christiana in August

DrPete 

Correction--aren't MANY.

zimbo

Racing with teammates is fun and obviously upgrade points are not the only reason to race. Obviously you're not going to chace down a break with a teammate in it. However, I can envision there being enough strong guys on your team that there might not be enough breaks to go around if you know what I mean.

--Steve

branman1986

So far, I really like the stage race format over omnium format. It really forces teamwork and makes each race more exciting. Plus, each KOM and every sprint point becomes SUPER important and forces the teams to be on their toes for the entire race. I love it!

The only downside is if you can't TT, you're basically out of the GC. But it's great for boring all-arounders like myself.

SaddleBags

Although it would be great to get a top 5 finish on every race I enter, I know it's not realistic. This is the first year our team has 2-3 strong riders capable of top 5 finishes with the right strategy and teamwork. I know my role will be as a support role when the stronger teammates are racing (lead out, chase down breaks, block/disrupt pack when needed, etc). I find working with teammates is better racing and adds more strategy than just laying down the hammer every Sunday like I've tried to do in the past.

Hey riskus - congrats on the upgrade. I'll be up there in 2 races.

branman1986

do you guys get all your races paid for? If not, it would be really tough for me to sit in all the time and not have a chance to at least make enough prize money to pay for the entry fee.