Cycle racing tactics - One of the three ways to win a bike race

Every now and again I get to witness a truly great cycling feat. On Sunday at the 2011 Australian Masters Games in Adelaide Shane Miller demonstrated one of the three ways to win a bike race, the epic solo time trial in the MMAS1 Criterum race. Just before the race, I mentioned to him that as a time trialist his race plan would be to ensure that he dropped all the sprinters. It’s a bold move and one that involves having plenty of horse power. I won’t take credit for seeding the idea into Shane’s head as I’m sure that he would have had this as his plan well before I mentioned it to him.

So on lap two after a few minor attacks Shane hit them and successfully rode away from the group. The first part of the plan was successfully deployed now it was up to him to stay away from the chasing bunch for the next 37 mins and win the sprint but just crossing the line first and on his own. Shane did indeed do this and also lapped the entire field.

This video is of his finish and in a true style that you don’t see too often. Shane had time to step off his bike and walk it over the line. Well done Shane. It was a crowd pleaser and finished the day's racing off nicely.