Pezcyclingnews: Toolbox Race Anatomy: Late Innings



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Jan 3, 2005
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Many pro races, whether a Classic like the Ronde or most stages of Grand Tours, begin in a very predictable fashion of a long suicide break. Most of the time, these breaks never have a chance of making it to the finish. But sometimes, as Dirk Demol will tell you after winning Roubaix in 1988, such breaks can pay off big time.In our previous articles on the anatomy of a bike race, we went through the initial stages of a road race, ending it with the imminent closing down of these early breaks. Lets continue on with how the race can unfold from hereScene 8: Act IISong: Disturbia by RhiannaThe mood of the race changes as we enter Act II. Things are a little more relaxed. There are less opponents to worry about and the odds have increased that one of the remaining riders in the lead group will take the day. One way or another, the selection has been made and its the team leaders who are now sizing each other up. They are looking to see who their biggest threats are and what they can do to shut them down. Erik Saunders once said something like, Winning a bike race is all about closing doors. Some riders you can close the door on once and they wont be able to get back through. With other riders you may have to shut the door on them repeatedly until you finally keep them out. Then there are riders who will...

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