COME WATCH:

The USA CRITS Speedweek will feature the best criterium cyclists in the world racing the downtown streets of 7 southern cities. These downtown areas will be transformed into international cycling competition arenas from April 26-May 4. Olympians, world, and nationally ranked men and women athletes will take to the streets to contest the series featuring $150,000 in prize money, national ranking points, and qualifying positions for the World Criterium Championships.

Criteriums are spectator-friendly bike racing venues that feature riders completing each lap in about 1 minute. With play-by-play commentators, come watch the strategy, speed, and excite-ment that criterium racing creates as 100-150 riders draft, bump, and race their way through corners and straights at 30-40 MPH. America’s top teams will be in attendance with all events featuring kid’s races and activities.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Although cyclists compete in what seems to be an individual race to the finish line, teamwork plays a large role in the outcome. Certain team members may be assigned to assist other team mates, while other members may be assigned to sit-in and conserve energy. Individual riders, or riders whose team members number fewer than other teams, will attempt to take advantage of the tactics, such as those listed below, used by their competitors.

Drafting: Riding behind another cyclist, in their slipstream, can save up to 30% of a rider’s energy.

Blocking: Getting in the way of, or disrupting by soft pedaling in an organized chase. Often blocking is used by a team when one or more team members breaks away from the main group, and it can be used to effectively split two groups. It can also work to tire the field of riders more quickly. Once the group realizes they have slowed, they will have to work harder to regain the front group.

Breakaway: A rider, or group of riders, that has split from the main pack. Strategy plays a major role in determining a successful break. The right mix of sprinters, teams, and strong riders is an odds-game played throughout the race. The wrong mix with one major team missing may be disastrous for the break or for the missing team. When breakaways occur, watch for teammates in the chase to see if they are working to catch or just blocking.

Leadout: The most strategic part of a race happens in the closing laps especially when a breakaway has not been established. The team that can get four or five guys to the front to keep the speed high and protect their designated sprinter will ultimately win the race. In the four or five finishing laps watch for the seemingly unorganized pack of 100 riders to swarm into an organized group of teams with each team looking to get there best sprinter to the finishline first by clearing the way and providing a draft for the sprinter.