Injury has forced me for go tris this season and take up just swimming and biking. That being said I have my first bike circuit race this weekend and my first crit the week after that. In both races Cat 4s and 5s are slated to start at the same time. I assume that both groups complete the races at the same time. So in this instance are the 5s only competing against 5s even though 4s are out there with them or is it that both 4s and 5s are competing against one another? In most races is there a way to tell the different cats from each other if the two cats do go off at the same time.
Generally that means you’re all racing in the same race. They may separate the results by cat when you’re done, but you’ll be racing against everyone.
Thom
They will probably be scored separately, since cat 4’s usually have a small cash prize purse and 5’s don’t. But you’ll be racing together, shoulder to shoulder. The groups will probably have different numbers around here it’s 4’s w/ 400#'s and 5’s w/ 500#'s.
Good luck! It’s a rush, more fun than tri’s I think.
They may be staggering the start (start the 4s, then 30 seconds later, start the 5s). Or, both Cats. start together and Cats. are picked separately. Or, both Cats. start together as one field. Hard to say, but they will tell you at the start line or it should be in the race flyer.
How to tell who is which Cat? Sometimes they will differentiate the numbers (200-249 are Cat. 4, #250-299 are Cat. 5), but that’s a little hard to tell when you are out there in the middle of a race. Once you race enough, you get to know who is who.
Good luck!
clm
good luck! My first crit I got smoked. I never got to good at it but it is a blast! Don’t worry about getting bumped. Just ride loose and stay clear of nervous nellies. Throw race strategy out the window a 4/5 racer has all these strategic moves in their mind but no ability to pull them off. Just get out front on the last corner and sprint like a madman!
Thanks for the advice. I am really excited about the races. I am a little concerned about the people who have an inflated confidence in their bike handling skills but I enjoy the pack riding and being in the mix. It should be fun.
“Just ride loose and stay clear of nervous nellies.”
I’m willing to bet that he will be the nervous nelly that everyone else is trying to stay clear of. For a first race, I would just get a feel for things, hang out in the back, and try to survive. Racing a crit is very different from a group ride.
hanging out in the back is the best way to encounter the nervous nellies in a cat 4/5 race. better to stay on the front.