How to improve results

[lynus2004]

Hiya,

Has anybody got some tips on how to improve my results in cat 3 races? In the past few weeks I have finished 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th in bunch sprints and am wondering how to tailor my training to improve my chances.

I thought I had a decent sprint and got some ok results earlier in the season but it's deserted me at the minute and finishing within a bikes length of decent points is getting tiresome.

What sort of power should I expect to be putting out in a sprint?

[shouldbworking]

Have you tried pedalling harder?

[Birdthom]

Same here! If you find out the answer please let me know. I suspect it involves nothing more complicated than better positioning into the last bend and more work on my top end. Easier said than done, though.

[lynus2004]

Birdthom said:

Same here! If you find out the answer please let me know. I suspect it involves nothing more complicated than better positioning into the last bend and more work on my top end. Easier said than done, though.

You are probably right, I know that some of these results have been down to poor positioning or back luck (people cutting across my line to avoid crashes etc)

I just wonder if I don't have as much top end power as I thought

[BadgerBenji]

Why wait for the final bunch sprint, why not try a different tactic, little attack and see how you get on with that, might work.

[Gargamel]

Cav reportedly puts down around 1600 watts in the last sprint. Hoy is record at over 2000 in a circuit sprint.



Good luck.

[Jimbo.]

Gargamel said:

Cav reportedly puts down around 1600 watts in the last sprint...

Not to mention Veelers.

[agentnomad]

Go and ride a local track league

At Shorpe you would get 4 to 5 race per track league night

This gives you a few chances to try different things and work on them and also race craft, position, bike handling along with a friend can watch or video the race so you can look at it later and work out for yourself to identify the areas you need to work on.

Paul.

[okgo]

Gargamel said:

Cav reportedly puts down around 1600 watts in the last sprint. Hoy is record at over 2000 in a circuit sprint.



Good luck.

Plenty of 4th cats that could hit 1600. Means not a lot. It's about everything else building up to that point that is winning vs losing!

[BMWBen]

If you did have a decent sprint earlier in the season and it's tailed off, then it's probably the way you're training. Do you do any specific sprint training? Have you actually lost power somewhere else (i.e. are you now arriving at the final straight more tired)?

[okgo]

I'd suggest you don't lose it. If you have it you have it. It's one of those things that is quite obvious from the get go.

Positioning is probably the biggest one thing that effects results in crits.

[lynus2004]

Thanks guys, I am actually finding the races easier and less tiring but just can't get the sprint working, I think frustration is starting to get the better of me and it is leading to mistakes.


Will see how I get on at Mallory tonight, had a big crash last week and still in a fair bit of pain so will use it as an opportunity to spend some time thinking about positioning without the pressure of expecting a good result.

[Birdthom]

lynus2004 said:

Thanks guys, I am actually finding the races easier and less tiring but just can't get the sprint working, I think frustration is starting to get the better of me and it is leading to mistakes.


Will see how I get on at Mallory tonight, had a big crash last week and still in a fair bit of pain so will use it as an opportunity to spend some time thinking about positioning without the pressure of expecting a good result.

I should be there tonight. Blue and white Trek, wearing Leics RC kit. Let me know what you look like and I'll say hello and try to avoid banging into you in the pack :-)

[lynus2004]

Birdthom said:

I should be there tonight. Blue and white Trek, wearing Leics RC kit. Let me know what you look like and I'll say hello and try to avoid banging into you in the pack :-)

Nice one, i'll keep my eye out for you. I'll be in a Blue Beeston CC top, blue planet x bike