BBC Racer

Sea Otter Circuit – How to Breakaway

Finally recorded something (somewhat) interesting. Though not as viewer friendly as a victory by yours truly!

I raced the M35 1/2/3 Sea Otter Classic Circuit Race. Going in, I told myself I would rather strike out swinging in an attempt to make the break than to sit in and await the field sprint for the leftovers.

Based on the entry list, by reputation and results, it was highly likely that some combination of Klein, Lyman, Metcalfe and Phipps, would successfully go up the road. 10 minutes into the race, it seemed that all four would be in the winning move.

I tried to follow surges by these guys, hoping to get lucky when they formed the ultimate gap. In the end, I was unsuccessful and didn’t have anything left when the leaders got away and couldn’t hang onto the chasers. Regardless, I was happy with my race and learned a bit more about what I need to work on in order to get into the break.

I’m obviously not a breakaway expert, but the break seemed to form like this: Eventually the strong guys realized that the hill was too short to be decisive. Even when they attacked on the climb, the field crested with them and reformed on the descent.

With that in mind on the decisive 1.5 laps, they rode with steady pressure up the hill and pushed it a bit on the descent. Then on the flat section through the start/finish they put in some legitimate, leg-searing attacks that killed the pack’s ability to climb at race speed. And just like that, they slipped away…

10 Minute Version: