It's easy to rock up to a race without a plan. Most riders do. They’ll just go with the flow and wait for the sprint. You may win, but probably won't. Learning will be limited. Even more so if you win.
To get the most out of the racing, try setting yourself race challenges before each race.
Think long-term, think about the skills required to ride a good … (pick your event).
Let’s take the example of the elimination.
What do I need to learn to be a good elimination rider?
On the most basic level, I need to avoid being last in any of the laps.
How do I achieve that?
Some building stones:
Observation observation observation
Because anticipation anticipation anticipation
Sprinting and overtaking
Moving through/maintaining position in a tight bunch/inner washing machine
Boxing a rider in below you
and many more...
In any given elimination, set yourself at least three challenges to work on weaknesses or boost strengths. Nice to have one based on your strengths:
– One could be to check your position at least twice a lap, really you should be constantly observing, this is a minimum. Exaggerate the observation until it becomes second nature. Look at some elimination races on Youtube, you’ll be amazed how much the top riders are looking. It’s a never-ending finish. Check out Cav in this one from around 5min40, look at him looking!
- The second could be to aim to spend the first half of the race close to the front of the bunch, so about maintaining position and moving up in a constantly evolving tight bunch.
- The third could be to start sniping once the field is down to 9-10 riders.
These are just three rough options. There are lots of possibilities. The main thing is to set yourself challenges, as they will add learning opportunities.
After the race, you can think back about how it worked out, why it worked/didn’t. And ask yourself how you would do it differently next time.
Every concreet attempt to do something will help you learn and improve, especially if you reflect on it afterwards. The harder you try and the more specific it is, the more you will learn.
In a scratch or a points race, a process goal could also be taking short turns at the front and slotting back towards the front. Practising being assertive.
It could be never to hit the front in a scratch until the final laps, so letting riders into the line ahead of you and doing everything to avoid hitting the front and wasting energy driving up the banking ;).
It could be trying to win in different ways (from a late counter, by controlling it from the front in the final 2-3 laps, from the bunch…).
If could be to sprint for every second sprint in a points race. Or to try to take a lap.
Generally, favour attacking and positive racing. Again, whether you’re second or 15th doesn’t matter. It’s about what you got out of the race in terms of race practice. At least from a development perspective.
Distinguish 'A' race goals and race training. Use race training to improve race craft. That's what training is about. To try things. ‘It’s only track league’ and that's what's so great about it!
Pista!
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