I think I have said similar things before, and feel I need to say them again.
The Crit race for the KOCC Club Championships was held this Saturday, and it was, despite a really crap crit circuit (a hot dog course at KI ), a whole lot of fun. I think the reason is because it was interestingly tactically.
To explain. KOCC hosts its club championships each year, with there being a championship for each grade. Usually there is an ITT, then a road race then a crit. Weather meant that the order this year will be a road race, then a crit, then an ITT.
After the road race Commuter, Steve Brown and the Tolf held the first 3 spots in the C grade Championship. So, when we lined up for the Crit those three had positions to protect. Despite the crappy course, and perhaps due to the solid wind, it was a great race.
I think the reason it was so interesting, at least for me, was the thinking people had to do - do you make Commuter, Stephen and the Tolf chase any breaks, and to watch them watching each other. Right down to the sprint for 2nd it was still being played out, and young Shane played this tension perfectly to claim 1st place. I suspect young Chris did the same smart thing in A grade as well.
It reminded me of the B grade crit championship race a couple of years ago, where after the ITT and road race there were quite a few people who could win, depending on who placed. The main two were Commuter and Max, and Max won the crit and the grade championship. That crit race was immense fun, as everyone knew what was needed for them, or their mate, to succeed.
My point is this kind of multi-race format is a real break from the normal 5 to 7 laps around KI, or 3 to 5 laps at Blackhill. Perhaps this is something that one or more of the clubs, or perhaps CD (puts CD hat on), might think about.
Comments please.
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