Racing Tactics For Cyclists

Written for the experienced road cyclist, Racing Tactics for Cyclists shows team riders how to ride in a race, explains the importance of position, and discusses individual and team racing tactics. Each type of road race--one-days, stage races, criteriums--is covered, along with the technical riding skills and mental strategies needed to succeed. Also included is information on handling prologues, recovering from a crash or flat tire, resting during a race, and evaluating the competition.

** WINNER OF THE CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE 2019 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS** So how do you win a bike race? Riding as fast as you could for as long as you could was the main tactic in the early days of road racing when Grand Tours could be won by hours. Now a minute's delay thanks to a puncture could ruin a rider's chances over a three-week race and the sport is described as nothing less than chess on wheels. The intricacies and complexities of cycling are what makes it so appealing- an eye for opportunity and a quick mind are just as crucial to success as a 'big engine' or good form. How do you cope with crosswinds, cobbles, elbows-out sprints, weaving your way through a teeming peloton? Why are steady nerves one of the best weapons in a rider's arsenal and breakaway artists to be revered? Where do you see the finest showcase of tactical brilliance? Peter Cossins takes us on to the team buses to hear pro cyclists and directeurs sportifs explain their tactics- when it went right, when they got it wrong - from sprinting to summits, from breakaways to bluffing. Hectic, thrilling, but sometimes impenetrable - watching a bike race can baffle as much as entertain. Full Gas is the essential guide to make sense of all things peloton.

In order to maximise strengths and minimise weaknesses, this book provides cyclists and coaches with a wealth of insider tips on training, equipment, nutrition, logistics and race tactics. Readers can also learn how to develop an individualised training programme.

Hunter Allen and Andy Coggan, PhD have completely revised the book that made power meters understandable for amateur and professional cyclists and triathletes. Power meters have become essential tools for competitive cyclists and triathletes. No training tool can unlock as much speed and endurance as a power meter--for those who understand how to interpret their data. A power meter displays and records exactly how much energy a cyclist expends, which lends unprecedented insight into that rider's abilities and fitness. With the proper baseline data, a cyclist can use a power meter to determine race strategy, pacing, and tactics. Training and Racing with a Power Meter makes it possible to exploit the incredible usefulness of the power meter by explaining how to profile strengths and weaknesses, measure fitness and fatigue, optimize workouts, time race readiness, and race using power. This new edition: Enables athletes to predict future performance and time peak form Introduces fatigue profiling, a new testing method to pinpoint weaknesses Includes two training plans to raise functional threshold power and time peaks for race day Offers 75 power-based workouts tuned for specific training goals This updated edition also includes new case studies, a full chapter on triathlon training and racing, and improved 2-color charts and tables throughout. Training and Racing with a Power Meter, will continue to be the definitive guide to the most important training tool ever developed for endurance sports.

In Reading the Race, race announcer Jamie Smith and veteran road captain Chris Horner team up to deliver a master class in bike racing strategies and tactics. Armed with strategies and tactics learned over thousands of races, cyclists and cycling fans will learn how to read a race--and see how to win it. Bike racing is called a rolling chess game for a reason. Sure, a high pain threshold and a killer VO2max are helpful. But if you're in it to win it, you need race smarts. Starting breaks, forming alliances, managing a lapped field, setting up a sprint--on every page, Horner and Smith reveal new secrets to faster racing and better results. Smith and Horner dissect common mistakes, guiding riders with lessons learned from decades of racing experience. Reading the Race reveals the veteran's eye view on: Assembling the best possible team Crafting strategies around the team, course, and rivals Reacting instantly to common scenarios Making deals and combines Breaks, echelons, blocking Pack protocol and etiquette Finishing in the prize money or on the podium Winning the group ride Whether you're a new racer, an aspiring pro, a team manager, or even a roadside fan, Reading the Race will elevate your cycling IQ for better racing.

The classic bicycle road racing book first published in 1978 chronicles a 150-kilometer European road race and its competitors in vivid, realistic detail. Reprint.

Increase speed, power, endurance, and efficiency with Cutting-Edge Cycling. You’ll learn how to apply the latest in cycling research, science, and technology to train smarter, ride longer, and race faster. Renowned cycling coach Hunter Allen and leading scientist Stephen Cheung share the most recent biomechanical, physiological, and technical advances and research, why they matter, and how you can incorporate them for maximal training and optimal performance. From the latest information on periodization, lactate threshold, and recovery to bike positioning, pedaling technique, and cadence, Cutting-Edge Cycling covers every aspect of conditioning, preparation, and competition in this physically demanding sport. Additional coverage includes interviews that cover a broad range of topics: interpreting lab results, fatigue, monitoring training, high-intensity training, prevention of and recovery from overtraining, pacing, bike fit, power meter quadrant analysis, hydration, and cooling strategies. If you’re serious about gaining the edge on the competition, Cutting-Edge Cycling is one guide you shouldn’t be without.

Ride faster, fitter, smarter, & farther Every road rider has goals. Yours may be to begin racing, to become more competitive, or to win a specific tour. Not interested in racing? Perhaps you want to complete your first century ride, improve your overall fitness, or ride father and faster just for the sheer joy of flying on two wheels. No matter what your goals, The Complete Book of Road Cycling and Racing gives you all the information you need to become a better, more performance-focused cyclist. Written by an accomplished racing coach, cyclist, and exercise physiologist, this book shows you how to: Fit the bike to your body for maximum efficiency and comfort Ride safely in a group Cope with any weather or altitude Maintain your bike Prepare for races of all types Master racing strategies and tactics Train efficiently and stay in peak condition year-round And much more