by Toks » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:38 pm
[quote]At Palace for example there were a few weeks where only my self and Jack were really stong enough and confident. Just wondering if, assuming we get a few turning up for a race, we should try and work out some tactics to get an ACC win
or placing in races? Noticed on some other club forums discussions on tactics and I think we all can see that some clubs do deploy various tactics to get their club some points. As far as I know we don't, (except, do the Hillington guys do this
) for example last week at Eastway we had Toks and Marek (and me) both strong riders but to me it seemed that we had no plan (maybe they did I don't know) what with Marek going off on his own and the same with Toks. We still seem to ride as if each of us is the only club member there, maybe it often is, but more are trying racing and hopefully next year the momentum can be kept up?
Great post keiran, here's my take on things. I think trying to employ team tactics in any race depends on a number of factors:@
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How fit are the various team members?
If you're only fit enough to be pack fodder (no shame in that at Palace) its really not worth trying to put extra pressure on team members by asking them to 1. Get to the front and block while one of you charges off the front; 2. Chase down breakaways, 3. Sit in on breakaways or chasers
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How comfortable/confident are you on the circuit? If you haven't ridden that type of course/or it doesn't suit you - again you don't need team game hastle.
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Are you in team colours? Yep sorry mate! Its important to be recognised. We've raced together quite a few times but I rarely ever recal actually seeing you in a race...Just to let you know Sylvain gave me a real psychological boost when he raced at C.P. Despite my rather ropey form his ever yellow presence in the top 7/8 places was enough to drive me on and eventually I think I placed 6th. The week before that seeing how stongly Matt was riding also had a similar effect.
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It needs to be discussed before the race
Richard Munday showed amazing strength towards the end of the Dunsfold Aerodrome 3/4 race but we weren't able to pull it all together because I was knackered from too much attacking. Too be fair Jack did try 'blocking' when I was in a breakaway but it was to no avail. Our breakaway group just wasn't strong enough. Perhaps if we'd spoken before hand we might have had more success. Also see points 1 and 2
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You've got to race quite a lot together
As I'm sure you noticed both London Dynamo and Dulwich Paragon teams both used the 'blocking' tactic to devastating effect especially in August. This didn't work well before July (lower fitness levels perhaps) but once they all had very good fitness they were able more than not to influence the outcome of the race...In contrast I don't think we ever consistently had more than three people in a race especially once Tim moved up a level.
