Cyclocross Strategy

The following strategy is what I've found to work for me in cyclocross racing. The actual race "strategy" begins well before the race:

Pre-race

• Eat last “meal” 3 hours from the race start, at the latest.
• Drink plenty of water in the time leading up to the race.
• Take one gel prior to the warm-up (probably not really needed, but it's my habit from mtn bike racing); keep drinking water.
• Make sure numbers are pinned on, transponder is on, etc.

Warm-up

• 15 minute easy/moderate spin
• 6 race pace intervals, 30s on, 1 minute off
• 5 minutes easy spin
• Stretch
• Go to the starting line, try to line up on or near the front

Race

• Start (first 1 or 2 laps): Work to get as high of a position as is possible. This is key, go out hard!
• Middle (3rd lap): Hold/evaluate position (and back off slightly?).
• Finish (last lap or 2): Assess position. If position is OK, defend it, if not, do what is necessary to move up.

Post-Race

• Cooldown
• Stretch
• Recovery drink/snack