Question for seasoned racers

outfox

This year was my first year racing. I noted in races that every lap more or less followed the same pattern (apart from the last few km). If the bunch sped up on some stretch in the first lap, then it also sped up on the same stretch in subsequent laps. On stretches where the bunch slowed, such as on narrower roads, it slowed at the same point on all 3-4 laps.
If each race follows the same pattern each year (assuming the route stays the same), one should be able to select the ideal time to make a break. One could chose a spot where a break might stick, based on one's experience of the same race the year before. This ploy is based on the assumption that the bunch will follow the same pattern year after year on the same race.
To those of you who have done the same race a few times, do races actually follow the same pattern each year? Or can they be entirely different?

dermabrasion

usually different, for various reasons. For example, if a break went at a certain placate previous year, people position themselves to be ready for it the following year, and any break is neutralised.
Its very early to be planning strategy!

outfox

dermabrasion wrote: »

Its very early to be planning strategy!

Yeah, having a slow day at work!

Derrydingle

How did you get on in your first season,

outfox

Dropped on the first race (Dungarvan) due to the climb. Did about 3 other races after that which were flattish, and managed to stay with the bunch. Although nowhere near good enough for the final sprint. I think I'll have another bash next year. Making out the training plan at the moment, which is when I got to thinking about question in OP above.

Lusk_Doyle

You need a power meter.

crazy_kenny

Don't mean to hijack the thread but was hoping to get some advice also. I would like to do some a4 racing next year. I recently purchased a power meter to help with a structured training plan. I am following a base plan on trainerRoad on the days I can't get out. When I do get out I try to stay in z1, z2 and z3 for majority of spin. I mix it up with some intervals at 85% to 90% FTP and some occasional sprints. I train for 7 or 8 hours weekly. Currently my calculated FTP is 3.2W/Kg @66Kg. Does this look like a beneficial plan for this time of year? Thanks in advance.

mandee1980

outfox wrote: »

This year was my first year racing. I noted in races that every lap more or less followed the same pattern (apart from the last few km). If the bunch sped up on some stretch in the first lap, then it also sped up on the same stretch in subsequent laps. On stretches where the bunch slowed, such as on narrower roads, it slowed at the same point on all 3-4 laps.
If each race follows the same pattern each year (assuming the route stays the same), one should be able to select the ideal time to make a break. One could chose a spot where a break might stick, based on one's experience of the same race the year before. This ploy is based on the assumption that the bunch will follow the same pattern year after year on the same race.
To those of you who have done the same race a few times, do races actually follow the same pattern each year? Or can they be entirely different?

I know some races where the break would always go at a specific point so the answer is yes but I suspect the bunch will react when you jump so you have to be strong to get a gap anyway. I think its a question of just being able to bash along at a given point until the rats aka the bunch give up

outfox

mandee1980 wrote: »

I think its a question of just being able to bash along at a given point until the rats aka the bunch give up

Good point. I also noticed that some guys made very 'gentle' breaks, where the bunch left them off and let the reel out, so to speak. I couldn't make out if the bunch decided to let them go, or if the bunch couldn't be bother to chase. But a few of those breaks stuck, or nearly stuck. I'm thinking the chance of a break sticking will be greatly increased if done at the right location on the course, say at a location just before where the bunch has slowed right down on previous laps. Hence my OP.

Taxuser1

crazy_kenny wrote: »

Don't mean to hijack the thread but was hoping to get some advice also. I would like to do some a4 racing next year. I recently purchased a power meter to help with a structured training plan. I am following a base plan on trainerRoad on the days I can't get out. When I do get out I try to stay in z1, z2 and z3 for majority of spin. I mix it up with some intervals at 85% to 90% FTP and some occasional sprints. I train for 7 or 8 hours weekly. Currently my calculated FTP is 3.2W/Kg @66Kg. Does this look like a beneficial plan for this time of year? Thanks in advance.

Do what you're doing for November and up to Stephens Day. Then ramp it up to a building program on TR for 6 weeks which brings you into the new season.

You'll need to hone your race speed, rather than your base miles in the New Year. The races aren't long at A4 level. I'd say 3.2 will get you along nicely in the bunch at A4 but your benefit will be on the hillier races with a weight of 66kg provided your building program works and you increase your wattage. From talking to the lads at that level last year, there weren't too many hilly races so practice your sprint.