hopefully the Madison

What Chris said about the elimination is correct. Its like an accordion - Compressing and expanding. Usually the safest spot to be, and the spot you can control your destiny (to a degree) is high on the track. The worst thing in an elimination, is thinking you are in a safe spot on the black line, and have everyone roll you over the top, and then you're out ! And when you see that coming, there is nothing you can do - don't fight it !

I've been going to practice two and three times a week since September.

Spent a lot of time with the coaches, they say I'm ready...just kind of nervous.

Probably do the chase, elimination and hopefully the Madison.

Anyone care to share their experiences?

What Chris said about the elimination is correct. Its like an accordion - Compressing and expanding. Usually the safest spot to be, and the spot you can control your destiny (to a degree) is high on the track. The worst thing in an elimination, is thinking you are in a safe spot on the black line, and have everyone roll you over the top, and then you're out ! And when you see that coming, there is nothing you can do - don't fight it !

Don’t stop pedalling and try to freewheel...

It depends on who you are. I'm a diesel, and I don't like being high and having to fight over the top on every elimination.

So I just park myself in front and pull everyone at just slightly less than pursuit effort. Just fast enough to dissuade attacks. Not so hard that you're hurting yourself badly. It seems stupid because you're pulling everyone. But, for me, having a perfectly consistent pace and being able to take the fastest line makes up for it. .

Once it's down to 5-6, then I'll pull up and start drafting to plan the end-game. Then you just pick out who you think is the weakest link on every elimination, and take them out.

That's how I do it.

If the field is too loaded for me to pull the whole way, I'll usually make an ad-hoc alliance with another pursuiter-type to trade off pulls.

Edit: I should add I almost never win eliminations. Because I suck at sprinting. But I have a pretty good rate at making it to the final 2-3 riders. And I've never crashed with my strategy either.

I did that once and it threw me down to the apron, then I hit the banking in the turn 3 seconds later.

Scared the crxp out of me.

Don’t stop pedalling and try to freewheel...

I hated the elimination race, could never figure it out. Had a decent sprint, and could hold my own in the points race, but would always get in trouble racing the same bunch of guys in the elimination. I would always end up in the back needing to go high and hard and there are only so many of those sprints your legs can handle.

Watching some of the UCI races I have noticed that another good strategy earlier in the race is to ride on the black line but near the front always fighting for position. So you would get boxed in, but you would always have wheels behind you.

To the OP: track racing is fun, enjoy it!

I'm envious ! Last year, out here in Colorado we were living large with two tracks we could ride. We don't have any now !

Dale has got it going with his set-up in Detroit.

Have fun.

It is just SO natural to try and sit up and freewheel after a sprint!