Jodie is the current Victorian Vets Criterium and Road champion in her age group. She has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000. Criterium or 'crit' racing tends to raced over the summer season. The format is laps of a short circuit. They usually have no set distance but instead the race is run over a set time and then a number of laps. For example Caulfield Carnegie Cycling Club A and B grade at Glenvale Crescent in Mulgrave, Victoria, race for 60 minutes and then three laps, while C and D grade race for less time, but still with 3 laps at the completion of the time. So, having a timer as part of your cycle computer is therefore useful! Here are some other useful tips to get you started.
What you need:
- A racing licence (check your local requirements),
- A bike (no aero bars),
- Standard wheels (no disk wheels) and
- A helmet.
Entry fee:
This is usually $5-$15 depending on the club and the cost of the venue. Generally, race organisers sometimes won't accept coins or $50 notes or more - they split the money up for prize money and dealing with change and big notes makes things difficult
How do I start?
Firstly, be on time. Try to be at the criterium course around 30-45 minutes early. As soon as you get there, find the registration table and tell them it's your first race, and that you'd like to enter. It is important though no matter how strong you think you are, or how strong you actually are, you need to learn how to race, and that means starting in a grade that will enable you to learn without being too tired to concentrate.
Often you also wear a different colour race number so that other riders in the group know you are new. You may also not be eligible for prize money on the first race - again depends on the club. This is partially due to safety and partly due to ensuring that they have placed you in the right grade.
Once you've entered, you'll get a number. This is usually a square bit of fabric that is pinned on to the back of your jersey with safety pins that are supplied. Pin the number low down so that the bottom of the number is a few cm above the bottom of your jersey. Either in the centre or off slightly to the left. Have a look at how the other riders have positioned their numbers, and remember that it's there so people standing by the road can see it. You may also get a head band that is to be placed around your helmet which are colour-coded by grade. Make note of what colour yours is so you can identify who else is in your grade.
Then, go for a warmup. Ride around the criterium course, taking note of the best lines through the corners, where the finish line is and if there's any tricky bits. Make sure that you have warmed up well and ready to race the criterium at around 5 minutes before racetime as you'll be called up to the start line around this time. Criteriums take off pretty quickly sometimes and if you're not warm you'll get dropped within the first 10 minutes.
Race Time!
There'll be a start area where all the riders for your grade will be at the start. Get into the bunch and try to be reasonably close to the front. Being near the front of a crit (or any race) is good tactically. It allows you to stay clear of most crashes and see what's going on, and if there's a surge, you can let the bunch slip by a bit to absorb the surge, saving your energy. When the officials start the race make sure you start your timer on your computer.
Sometimes criterium races start with a period of riding "under control". This means that the field will ride around the course a bit slower than racing speed, and no-one will try and attack (ride away off the front). This is to let the field have a look at the course and in the case of lower grade races, let the field get used to each other and being in a racing bunch. The officials will say for how long this controlled period will be for. If you're not sure, be sure to ask the start line official. Don't be shy. If you didn't hear it, chances are the others didn't too.
Once the criterium race starts, you'll need to understand a bit about how criterium racing works. Generally, riders will race to their strengths, which means that people who can ride at high speeds for a long time but can't sprint well will want to break away from the bunch, and riders who can't ride fast and long but who can sprint will want a bunch finish so that they can sprint clear after drafting the bunch. If you remember this, you'll see what different things different riders will try and do to set the race up for their win.
And then, there's bunch fodder riders, who don't really have a plan and who do things for no reason other than they were bored or just felt like it. They're the ones who take off in very early attacks and get reeled in over and over again. Sometimes there's reasons for this, but in lower grades it's not so likely.
Racing etiquette and tactics:
Racing is not like a training bunch ride where everyone's doing turns and riding smoothly together, but it is raced as a bunch ride. So, you'll need to remember a few basics - Always ride safely is the biggest one of all. Don't make any sudden sideways moves, don't chop other riders into corners and so on. Ride in straight lines and treat your competitors with respect and courtesy. There's no prizes for who does the biggest turn on the front, but sometimes you may have to do a turn to help chase down a break (unless you just want to race for 10th place!). Sometimes other riders won't help, sometimes riders will shout at you to chase. Always think before acting in a criterium race. If someone shouts at you to chase down a break, ask yourself if you think it will benefit your race, or the shouters? Criterium race tactics is the subject of whole books and experience is what counts, but if you remember the golden rule, you'll generally be ok. Try not to let gaps open up, stay near the front and stay out of the wind!
Treat the race officials with respect. They're usually volunteers and without them, you're not racing. Thank them after the race too, if you get a chance.
Race Rules
Criterium racing pretty simple, but in criteriums there's some interesting rules - for example if you have a mechanical problem - a puncture etc, you can usually take a lap out to fix it and then rejoin the main bunch in your grade. You have to ride around to the race officials and inform them. You can't do this in the last few laps - but the officials should tell you that at the start. If you've been dropped by your bunch and lapped, you have to pull out with 3 laps to go and stay out of the way for the rest of the time. It is illegal to ride with another grade. If you're riding D grade and C grade comes past overtaking your bunch, you are not permitted to jump across into the C grade bunch. You have to ride outside their slipstream. Usually your bunch will be neutralised when being overtaken, and if you think that's a good time for a surge or an attack, be prepared to be disqualified!
As you get closer to the finish, the pace usually increases, and riders will try late attacks and so on, don't panic at this point. If you have a plan, stick to it (at least for your first race!). And you do have a plan, right? If you're in a sprint for the finish, ride in a straight line, do not try and weave over the road to stop anyone overtaking you. It's illegal and very dangerous. Once you cross the finish line, ease off and roll around the course or follow the instructions of the officials. There's usually other grades racing at the same time and you don't want to get in their way, especially close to a finish! If you think you got a place or won, see the finish line officials and tell them (it's called "claiming"). Also, keep both hands on the handlebars when crossing the line - Its is generally illegal with most clubs to do a victory salute because you run the risk of not only crashing, but being disqualified!
Always take note of the specific rules for the club running the race as they may vary from state to state and country to country.
And that's it, your first criterium! Get out and do it!
Content for this article was sourced from: http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/your-first-crit