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Elite Cycling
Holding Your Position in the Pack
In discussions about recent races over the past few weeks, I have been delighted to
hear a few “A-HA!” moments from my clients. Many of them dealt with holding
position within the pack. I wanted to take a moment to cover some of these “A-HA”
concepts and other factors to consider in maintaining an optimal position in the pack.
Almost all of the ideas I will discuss below came up in discussions with more than one
of my clients recently. So, I wanted to share each of these insights for the benefit of
all.
A-HA #1 – Holding Position Feels Like a Constant Battle – Yes, it is! Half of the
factors in winning a bike race are determined by fitness. The other half are
determined by vigilance and commitment! The closer you get to the front, the more
true this becomes. Positions in the pack are constantly changing out, as riders flow
like water over the course. Each rider must constantly assess the dynamics of the
race and position themselves optimally to respond to the changing conditions. It is
easy to lose focus and find yourself 5 spots back. It is easy to become trapped in the
pack and have a quarter of the pack move up on the opposite side. Staying well
positioned takes constant vigilance and prompt reaction.
A-HA #2 – Not Moving Up is the Same as Moving Back – I mentioned earlier that
riders flow over the course like water, and just like flowing water, each pack has its
own currents, or sections of the pack that are moving forward and sections of the
pack that are moving back. To be successful at staying close to the front of the pack,
you have to stay focused and aware of which type of current you are in. Sometimes
you can be in a current of riders that is moving back, and you don’t really realize it
because everyone around you seems to be holding their spot in the pack. Constantly
checking the dynamics of the pack and the number of riders in front of you will help
you avoid this pitfall. Once you see a better position for moving up, you have to be
willing and able to adjust to get into the section of the pack that is moving forward.
A-HA #3 – When the Pack is Slow or Content, You Have More Flexibility – In
most cases, I encourage my clients to stay in the top ten or so riders as much as
possible. It is true that this is optimal for responding to attacks or other moves at the
front of the pack. It is also true that as the pace of the race picks up and especially
towards the end of the race, this is where you need to be, but when the pack is taking
it easy or are “content” (No organized efforts are happening), you have some flexibility
to drop a little further back in the pack, and still be able to get back into good position
when things pick up. In fact during races on windy days, you may need to go deeper
into the pack for adequate wind protection. Windy days also limit the likelihood of
early attacks sticking, so dropping back and saving energy for later in the race when
things get going makes for a pretty safe bet. Try not to get out of the top 20 or so in
any situation. Remember, the further back you are the greater the chances of missing
key moves or getting caught behind slower or less experienced riders. And,
ultimately, you do have to regain the positions at some point.
A-HA #4 – Sometimes You Just Have to Put Yourself Into Situations That
Aren’t Comfortable to Stay Where You Want to Be in the Pack – Yes! Yes! Yes!
Throughout my racing career and coaching career, I constantly encounter racers who
believe at some point they will be able to race and win without being physically or
mentally uncomfortable. That just isn’t how it works! I had a client ask me once, “How
long do I have to race before it stops hurting so much?” The answer – If you want to
win and continue to progress, is that it never stops hurting. I have also had clients
who quit racing because they could not force themselves to stay in the pack at critical
moments and make their efforts stick.
The truth is that winning in cycling takes suffering through hard efforts and it takes the
courage to push forward when you would much rather sit up. One day recently I was
having a discussion with my 4 year old son about something he didn’t want to do and I
told him he needed to be brave. To that he asked, “What does 'brave' mean?” After
a long pause (during which I went back to my military clichés and “Texanisms”), I think
I came up with a pretty good answer – "It means being scared, but doing what you
have to do anyway." To be successful as a racer you have to be brave!
Almost all trepidation about pack riding/racing is centered on the potential of
crashing, more specifically, being taken out by someone else’s stupidity. The counter-
intuitive truth of racing bikes is that when it comes to staying safe in a pack, the closer
to the front you are, the safer you are. I know letting up and drifting back feels safer,
but in reality, the more riders you have in front of you, the more you have to worry
about. I often tell clients that when you are sitting in the pack, it is really only the riders
in front of you and directly beside you that can impact you in any way. If their
handlebars are behind yours, chances are, there is no way they can take you down.
Take a look at crash video/pictures from any race at any level. You will notice the
riders beside and in front of the instigator end up riding away from the incident
(unless that person does something really crazy). Those behind end up riding into the
incident or off the road/trail. Neither of which are good options.
So, through out every race, you will have critical moments when holding the optimal
position and potentially the outcome of your race will depend on whether you take a
deep breath and press forward or you let up and drop back. Those moments are not
comfortable, but you have to do what you need to do regardless of how uncomfortable
it makes you. Remember too, if that move ultimately brings you closer to the front, it
ultimately puts you in a safer situation.
Now, how do you apply these things to make yourself better at holding your position?
First, realize you may have to be uncomfortable at critical points in your race.
Secondly, become astute at identifying “currents” in the pack that are moving forward
and learn how to get into them quickly yet safely. Stay focused and vigilant; keep your
head in the race so you do not drift back without realizing you have. Look for riders
that consistently finish well and shadow them through the pack. If you have a strong
teammate, that is an ideal wheel to follow. Be aware however, that you may not be
able to literally follow their wheel through every move (In any pack, holes open and
close constantly), but when they move up, you move up. When they sit in, you sit in.
Try to learn not only what they do, but why they do it. If you do have teammates in the
race, work together with them to move up through the pack and hold position. Serve
as “gate keepers” for each other to help ensure no one gets stuck.
Unfortunately, just as with so many things in bike racing, there is no way to tell you
exact moves or timing that will work for every race, but improve on the things we
discussed here and you will see your positioning improve as well.
In discussions about recent races over the past few weeks, I have been delighted to
hear a few “A-HA!” moments from my clients. Many of them dealt with holding
position within the pack. I wanted to take a moment to cover some of these “A-HA”
concepts and other factors to consider in maintaining an optimal position in the pack.
Almost all of the ideas I will discuss below came up in discussions with more than one
of my clients recently. So, I wanted to share each of these insights for the benefit of
all.
A-HA #1 – Holding Position Feels Like a Constant Battle – Yes, it is! Half of the
factors in winning a bike race are determined by fitness. The other half are
determined by vigilance and commitment! The closer you get to the front, the more
true this becomes. Positions in the pack are constantly changing out, as riders flow
like water over the course. Each rider must constantly assess the dynamics of the
race and position themselves optimally to respond to the changing conditions. It is
easy to lose focus and find yourself 5 spots back. It is easy to become trapped in the
pack and have a quarter of the pack move up on the opposite side. Staying well
positioned takes constant vigilance and prompt reaction.
A-HA #2 – Not Moving Up is the Same as Moving Back – I mentioned earlier that
riders flow over the course like water, and just like flowing water, each pack has its
own currents, or sections of the pack that are moving forward and sections of the
pack that are moving back. To be successful at staying close to the front of the pack,
you have to stay focused and aware of which type of current you are in. Sometimes
you can be in a current of riders that is moving back, and you don’t really realize it
because everyone around you seems to be holding their spot in the pack. Constantly
checking the dynamics of the pack and the number of riders in front of you will help
you avoid this pitfall. Once you see a better position for moving up, you have to be
willing and able to adjust to get into the section of the pack that is moving forward.
A-HA #3 – When the Pack is Slow or Content, You Have More Flexibility – In
most cases, I encourage my clients to stay in the top ten or so riders as much as
possible. It is true that this is optimal for responding to attacks or other moves at the
front of the pack. It is also true that as the pace of the race picks up and especially
towards the end of the race, this is where you need to be, but when the pack is taking
it easy or are “content” (No organized efforts are happening), you have some flexibility
to drop a little further back in the pack, and still be able to get back into good position
when things pick up. In fact during races on windy days, you may need to go deeper
into the pack for adequate wind protection. Windy days also limit the likelihood of
early attacks sticking, so dropping back and saving energy for later in the race when
things get going makes for a pretty safe bet. Try not to get out of the top 20 or so in
any situation. Remember, the further back you are the greater the chances of missing
key moves or getting caught behind slower or less experienced riders. And,
ultimately, you do have to regain the positions at some point.
A-HA #4 – Sometimes You Just Have to Put Yourself Into Situations That
Aren’t Comfortable to Stay Where You Want to Be in the Pack – Yes! Yes! Yes!
Throughout my racing career and coaching career, I constantly encounter racers who
believe at some point they will be able to race and win without being physically or
mentally uncomfortable. That just isn’t how it works! I had a client ask me once, “How
long do I have to race before it stops hurting so much?” The answer – If you want to
win and continue to progress, is that it never stops hurting. I have also had clients
who quit racing because they could not force themselves to stay in the pack at critical
moments and make their efforts stick.
The truth is that winning in cycling takes suffering through hard efforts and it takes the
courage to push forward when you would much rather sit up. One day recently I was
having a discussion with my 4 year old son about something he didn’t want to do and I
told him he needed to be brave. To that he asked, “What does 'brave' mean?” After
a long pause (during which I went back to my military clichés and “Texanisms”), I think
I came up with a pretty good answer – "It means being scared, but doing what you
have to do anyway." To be successful as a racer you have to be brave!
Almost all trepidation about pack riding/racing is centered on the potential of
crashing, more specifically, being taken out by someone else’s stupidity. The counter-
intuitive truth of racing bikes is that when it comes to staying safe in a pack, the closer
to the front you are, the safer you are. I know letting up and drifting back feels safer,
but in reality, the more riders you have in front of you, the more you have to worry
about. I often tell clients that when you are sitting in the pack, it is really only the riders
in front of you and directly beside you that can impact you in any way. If their
handlebars are behind yours, chances are, there is no way they can take you down.
Take a look at crash video/pictures from any race at any level. You will notice the
riders beside and in front of the instigator end up riding away from the incident
(unless that person does something really crazy). Those behind end up riding into the
incident or off the road/trail. Neither of which are good options.
So, through out every race, you will have critical moments when holding the optimal
position and potentially the outcome of your race will depend on whether you take a
deep breath and press forward or you let up and drop back. Those moments are not
comfortable, but you have to do what you need to do regardless of how uncomfortable
it makes you. Remember too, if that move ultimately brings you closer to the front, it
ultimately puts you in a safer situation.
Now, how do you apply these things to make yourself better at holding your position?
First, realize you may have to be uncomfortable at critical points in your race.
Secondly, become astute at identifying “currents” in the pack that are moving forward
and learn how to get into them quickly yet safely. Stay focused and vigilant; keep your
head in the race so you do not drift back without realizing you have. Look for riders
that consistently finish well and shadow them through the pack. If you have a strong
teammate, that is an ideal wheel to follow. Be aware however, that you may not be
able to literally follow their wheel through every move (In any pack, holes open and
close constantly), but when they move up, you move up. When they sit in, you sit in.
Try to learn not only what they do, but why they do it. If you do have teammates in the
race, work together with them to move up through the pack and hold position. Serve
as “gate keepers” for each other to help ensure no one gets stuck.
Unfortunately, just as with so many things in bike racing, there is no way to tell you
exact moves or timing that will work for every race, but improve on the things we
discussed here and you will see your positioning improve as well.
Elite-Cycling.com
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