SInce JP was the only 123, Eric is our club champ for 2018.  

Moar race reports please!

John Malcolmson said:

SInce JP was the only 123, Eric is our club champ for 2018.  

Moar race reports please!

Sorta kinda. Keith was there as well.  Though we weren't racing each other at all.

Shoot. Forgot that Keith was in the 123, too. Sorry about that

Congrats JP, second year in a row. LOL did Keith even know it was our champ's? 

Erik and JP, let us know your jersey sizes. 

@John Malcolmson
Race Cut Large!

@JohnPowell did a pretty great job summarizing the last Prospect Race of the year.  Averaged 24.6 MPH - so it was definitely not the fasted hour+ of orbits we have endured.  That said, there was definitely fun to be had on that last hectic lap.

The field of 54 started to get really stacked up front after the "Prospect Hill Bomb."   Due to the naturalization on the second to last lap, the final lap turned into a free-for-all and us Kissena's were unable to join forces.  Of course, Team Rapha were able to organize a lead out by a strong Jon Perry who finished 4th and enabled the win for his teammate Neil Black.  By the top of the hill, I was probably sitting at about 15th and just cranked it to the finish for 7th.  Surprisingly felt that I had more in the tank and wish I had started sprinting earlier.  Oh well!

Here's a fun sprint photo.  I am on the far right.  Yes, @John Malcolmson I need to get lower on my sprint form

It's THAT time of year again. Thats, right, its Prospect Park race season, which means we help put on a great race series and need your help.

Once again, Charlie needs help with registration and a "Marshal Patroller" volunteers. For those not familiar, registration volunteers show up about an hour before the start and register racers in exchange for a FREE RACE (you get credited to a future park race). The Marshal Patroller rides around the course while the race is going on, making sure there are not hazards in the road, etc. and get a FREE RACE plus $40 cash. First races are next two Sundays (L&C Cup on 2/24 and Castelli on 3/31). Sign up to volunteer here.

Not in race shape yet? Charlie ALSO needs marshals for the first few races of the year (he excepts to be short). Come out to Prospect Park and marshal!  It's easy work and you get paid $30 or a credit to a future Prospect Park race. Email Charlie directly to let him know if you can do so: charlesissendorf@gmail.com

The first L&C cups is this Sunday. This is a fantastic opportunity for the team to work together towards similar goals.

Are you racing? If so, go ahead and respond below by letting the team know your goals and intent. 

Are you looking to:

• Contest a jersey?
• Go for the win?
• Help with leadouts?
• Let everyone know!

As a reminder, there are several jerseys available in the Cat 3-4 and Cat 1-2-3 fields. Yellow for series leader, Polkadot for KOM, Green for Sprint, and Grey for Masters. We have several riders with the fitness to be able to contest for several of these jerseys.

Cat 5 field does not have jerseys but that shouldn't stop teammates from working together whether that be to set up leadouts for the finish, plans for attacking and counterattacking, or blocking when a teammate is up the road. (I am sure JP covered these topics in the tactics talk. If you missed it arrange to get together with him or other seasoned teammates to get you up to speed - we are happy to help!).

My goals:
I'll get things started. I would like to mix it up in the finish and contest the Masters Jersey (most consistent 45+ finisher), but do not want to sit in until the end of the race. I intend on being one of the last riders to help leadout whomever is going for the yellow/win (Erik? Ricky? Someone else?)

I am equally motivated to help teammates with intermediate sprint competitions. Need someone to lead you out? I am your man. Who is with me?

This (above) is an awesome post - good job there is a button for that.

My goals are all team related for this year - no significant desire to compete for a jersey but I would like to contribute towards others achieving them. If this means burning (currently my single/double) matches in either chasing down breaks or working as part of the lead out then more than happy. In saying that, if the opportunity (and if others are interested) in going for attempting breakaways then would love to give this a go (something like a Steve Cummings 2015/2016 special would be awesome). 

 

Agreed, thanks Pat! 

I’d like to try and go for one of the jerseys this year.  Attacks from the field seem to be my jam and I haven’t nailed a solid sprint in a race yet so i’d like to focus on the KOM points jersey if no one else had their eye on it. I need to work a lot on my positioning coming into the hill but I think it would be a fun goal for me. 

That should leave me open to try and smash it for a final leadout or to set up a breakaway so other teammates can organize. I’m motivated to get someone toward the pointy end of the race and I think that might be my best role. I’d be super happy to help get somebody some upgrade points toward the 3s or even take the overall jersey. 

In the tactics talk, @mugwump talked about having a Wolfpack/ Quickstep approach with multiple options and I think that is a good bet. Anyone have any other ideas on how we can turn that into a reality? 

My goals for this season are to be mixing it up at the finish each race. I came up short too many times last year and I believe I can utilize that experience to produce some results this go around. We should have a strong showing in the cat 4 field and we should be able to use that to assert a presence at the front of the field each race. I look forward to working together with you guys to accomplish this. 

As far as contending for jerseys i'd be more than happy to help with lead outs and whatnot. I think the key will be to come up with a plan for each race, see whos feeling strong that week and play to those strengths. I am excited to see what we can accomplish together.

So who else is in for this weekend?? LETS GO!!!

Just as a heads up, looks like there are only a few prereg spots left! 

CAT3/4 reg is closed

Can't volunteers still race though?

Yes you can.

I see that Bastian Rose from E2Value is registered - this guy won 2 races at Grants Tomb by handsome margins by just riding away from everyone...If anyone is feeling extra strong they should probably sit on his wheel in the expectation that at some point in the race he will try to TT away... 

He wont be able to do that at PP...unless his 5min power is as good as his 20min. He will prob attack early though for sure on last lap.

If I'm chasing KOM points and a guy like Rose is looking to take off early, should I try and hop on his wheel if he attacks?

The team should mark this guy for sure, someone should always be on his wheel for a free ride.

RobertMullen said:

If I'm chasing KOM points and a guy like Rose is looking to take off early, should I try and hop on his wheel if he attacks?

Generally, yes. This weekend, maybe.

This Sunday, in a sold out 3/4 field the chances of a break sticking is not very high. As the first race of the season, other teams are also thinking of KOM and Sprint opportunities, making it even less likely for a break.

That said, generally, if you think a rider or group will be able to stay away long enough to hit one of the KOM sprints, then obviously, you want to be in that group. The least hard way to get points is from a break.

Endurance is about balance and placing smart bets. Spend matches now to make a break work, risking getting caught before the KOM, or stay in the pack and hit the KOM fresh but with more heavy hitters. 

You ride with a team, so if a break goes and you are not in it, the rest of us should close it while you chill in the pack. And frankly, we only have to do that if we estimate the break will be away long enough to hit a KOM without you. Your teammates that did not help chase should help position you for the KOM.

Looking forward.

I figure I'd reply to @PatrickGrehan post.

I am new to the team, but my racing goals are basically to try to hit all the L&C races (unless weather/health gets in the way), and do most of the Kissena Velodrome Twilight series on Wednesday Nights. What that means is that if L&C is on a Saturday I might still be a bit gassed from Wednesday, but I'm sure I can still be useful for the team.

I have no problems working for my teammates and helping them out. My original goal was to try to soak up some cat 3 points with possible top 10 finishes. Sans team last year I had some top 15 finishes in a few races so I was hopeful. However now with the 3s mixed in I have lost all hope, lol.

So basically whatever you guys need me to do I'll do my best to get it done. This early in the season I have no idea how I'm going to feel. I think if I can get in this coming race, the 3/4 (by working reg,) it will be a discovery/shake the cobwebs off kind of race. It's going to be a long season (~34 races planned between track and road and not counting CX) so I'm not looking at peaking yet.

Hope this helps.

I have one goal for this season: figure out how to remain competitive on the bike with a newborn baby in the house. Oof.

Getting up early for L&C races should be alot easier now since I'll likely already be awake feeding Charlie. Change baby's diaper, throw on my kit, and go race. Dad life.

I have to say, I love the enthusiasm of new members (and newish members) this early in the season. It's great!

Goals! I agree with @Phil Maronilla in that the enthusiasm is very motivating and I cannot help but get ALL excited for the numbers we should have in the CAT 3-4 field this season.  

Personally, I would like to fight for the Green Sprinters Jersey for the L & C Series.  That being said, I overindulged in the après scene a few too many times on the mountain this winter and my legs are just not what they were in the fall... I have started to really kick the training back into gear and hope to be in good form for the remainder of the L & C races over the next 6 months.

As for Race #1 - I didn't make the pre-reg, but I will be volunteering and hope to get into the race that route.  That said, I have full intentions of being your leadout guy.  I had the privilege of riding with Ricky a few times in CP last week and he smoked me just about every time we got out of the saddle.   @RobertMullen , @RichardCornetta whoever is feeling it Sunday morning, please do not hesitate to reach out and get organized. 

After talking with @JohnMalcolmson yesterday morning, we discussed how important it is to have presence in the front of the field at ALL times, especially with the numbers we will have Sunday.  No excuses.  It will be a full race and if we do not have that presence on the final lap with 110+ racers, we will not be able to get Rob and Ricky even close enough for Dots or Greens.

Have a great Thursday!

EP

Hey everyone, my goals for this season seem to change from week to week, but hopefully I’ll stick to something 🤪. I’ve been training pretty hard this past off season and my original goal was to upgrade to a Cat 3 in track and just try a few more Cat 5 road races. But after finishing towards the top of the field in Grant’s Tomb (my goal for this race was not to get dropped) and sticking to the front of the Cat 4 field at Branchbrook (until I flipped over the guy who fell in front of me), my confidence level has shifted my goals a bit. I am still going to concentrate on track over the next month or so (there are some major races happening in April and May), but I plan on participating in more Cat 5 road races so that I can join the Cat 4s towards the end of the season and do whatever I can to help out. Here’s to a great season with a lot of hard work and fun!

I just registered for the 1/2/3

does anyone need a size small short sleeve Kissena jersey to race in?  I can bring a spare.

Hi,

I've been asked to act as captain for Sunday's 3/4 race.

This is our team:

• Richard Freeman
• Robert Mullen
• John Powell
• Ricky Cornetta
• Joe Matunis
• Patrick Grehan
• Eloy Anzola

We have but two goals:

• Deliver Rob to the KOM sprints
• Deliver Ricky to the Finish sprint

KOM Sprints.
These are hardcore, probably harder than the green jersey sprints, as the KOM is way shorter.

We talk a lot of leadouts in the forum, but in reality, think about positioning: Know where Rob is at all times, specially on the KOM laps, obvs.

On the KOM laps, help Rob be in the top 5-ish when the group hits the beginning of the climb. Then is up to him to float the right wheels -- If one of us is the wheel he floats, even better. We'll chat more about this on Sunday before the race.

Final Sprint.
We want Ricky in the money.

Same deal, we want to know where Rick is, and make sure he is well positioned thru the full last lap.

Generally, we can break down the last lap in a few moments:

1. Downhill to the temple, this is the easiest moment to position yourself towards the front. In part because it is too early, but once there, focus on holding it. Where's Ricky?
2. Temple to Middle road, things are gonna get way harder, this moment you can almost smell the chances of crashing, so be patient and look for the chances to move up, which might require you to hit wind. Know where Ricky is, and hit the wind for him.
3. Middle road to the hill, unless you are in the top 10ish, you wont be likely to move up thru this section (plan for this, and get to where you need to be before)
4. The hill. Gaps will appear, this is the last chance to move up, same deal: gotta help Ricky find the right wheels and get thru the gaps. The order will change, but the top 20 at the top, will be the in the top 20 at the end. 
5. Past the hill. All out, followed by an even more all out sprint. At this point, we should have placed Ricky in the right wheels for the win.
6. Ricky WINS!

General Comments

• Let's chat a bit before the race, and afterwards too
• Over communicate during the race
• On KOM laps and the bell lap, use the downhill and moment 1 (above) to move up, and lets aim to find each other in the front towards the left of the peloton by the temple
  
• Sold out field means things are likely to stay together
• Hard to know as it is the first race of the season, but E2Value, Foundation, TBD are teams to watch for. If they are in a break, we want to be there too.
• Basic: If a teammate has attacked and brought back, counter. It is fun and the awesome thing to do -- Tip: You don't even have to meant it, do it anyway
• Also basic: Don't chase teammates
• This is bike racing, economy matters. Make sure efforts have a purpose.
• Do your best to stay top 20ish all race -- old adage: "if you are not moving forward, you are moving backwards"
• If far back and moving up, find a teammate, and let them know to grab your wheel -- so you move them up too
• The 2nd KOM and the 2nd Sprint will be on the same lap, back to back. This will be the hardest moment of the race. Expect it. Savour it. Attack it. Race it. Make it even harder for everyone. Be awesome, make it awesome.
• There will be moments of chaos, keep pedaling.

Gonna add one tacit goal, specially if you are struggling and not sure you can contribute: Finish the race in the peloton. 

Ok this is one long ass post. Feel free to let me know any comments, love, hate, or corrections.

Otherwise, let's have fun, be safe, and LET'S GO RACE BIKES!

Um. Replace all reference to my name with Ricky's name in the above post

PatrickGrehan said:

 I would like to mix it up in the finish and contest the Masters Jersey (most consistent 45+ finisher)

You are on the hook now. JK.

Amended so that Ricky is our overall leader and master. With Rob being the best prime climber/sprinter ever in Kissena! so much hotness.

Like the others, I’m really enjoying how much communication is going on around the races. Eloy’s breakdown for the upcoming race was super encouraging. I personally liked seeing something that thorough in one spot.

I can’t race this weekend, but look forward to joining the cat 4 lineup in the coming races. My goal is just to be present in these races, and not as passive as in the past. I’d be game to have a dedicated role in counter attacking or early-in-the-race set ups for KOMs or sprint laps. Generally,  something that wears down or distracts the field for smarter moves from teammates. The pack finish is just not my jam (yet), but excited to still play team tactics. 

Good luck this weekend!

eloy said:

Hi,

I've been asked to act as captain for Sunday's 3/4 race.

This is our team:

• Richard Freeman
• Robert Mullen
• John Powell
• Ricky Cornetta
• Joe Matunis
• Patrick Grehan
• Eloy Anzola

We have but two goals:

• Deliver Rob to the KOM sprints
• Deliver Ricky to the Finish sprint

KOM Sprints.
These are hardcore, probably harder than the green jersey sprints, as the KOM is way shorter.

We talk a lot of leadouts in the forum, but in reality, think about positioning: Know where Rob is at all times, specially on the KOM laps, obvs.

On the KOM laps, help Rob be in the top 5-ish when the group hits the beginning of the climb. Then is up to him to float the right wheels -- If one of us is the wheel he floats, even better. We'll chat more about this on Sunday before the race.

Final Sprint.
We want Ricky in the money.

Same deal, we want to know where Rick is, and make sure he is well positioned thru the full last lap.

Generally, we can break down the last lap in a few moments:

1. Downhill to the temple, this is the easiest moment to position yourself towards the front. In part because it is too early, but once there, focus on holding it. Where's Ricky?
2. Temple to Middle road, things are gonna get way harder, this moment you can almost smell the chances of crashing, so be patient and look for the chances to move up, which might require you to hit wind. Know where Ricky is, and hit the wind for him.
3. Middle road to the hill, unless you are in the top 10ish, you wont be likely to move up thru this section (plan for this, and get to where you need to be before)
4. The hill. Gaps will appear, this is the last chance to move up, same deal: gotta help Ricky find the right wheels and get thru the gaps. The order will change, but the top 20 at the top, will be the in the top 20 at the end. 
5. Past the hill. All out, followed by an even more all out sprint. At this point, we should have placed Ricky in the right wheels for the win.
6. Ricky WINS!

General Comments

• Let's chat a bit before the race, and afterwards too
• Over communicate during the race
• On KOM laps and the bell lap, use the downhill and moment 1 (above) to move up, and lets aim to find each other in the front towards the left of the peloton by the temple
  
• Sold out field means things are likely to stay together
• Hard to know as it is the first race of the season, but E2Value, Foundation, TBD are teams to watch for. If they are in a break, we want to be there too.
• Basic: If a teammate has attacked and brought back, counter. It is fun and the awesome thing to do -- Tip: You don't even have to meant it, do it anyway
• Also basic: Don't chase teammates
• This is bike racing, economy matters. Make sure efforts have a purpose.
• Do your best to stay top 20ish all race -- old adage: "if you are not moving forward, you are moving backwards"
• If far back and moving up, find a teammate, and let them know to grab your wheel -- so you move them up too
• The 2nd KOM and the 2nd Sprint will be on the same lap, back to back. This will be the hardest moment of the race. Expect it. Savour it. Attack it. Race it. Make it even harder for everyone. Be awesome, make it awesome.
• There will be moments of chaos, keep pedaling.

Gonna add one tacit goal, specially if you are struggling and not sure you can contribute: Finish the race in the peloton. 

Ok this is one long ass post. Feel free to let me know any comments, love, hate, or corrections.

Otherwise, let's have fun, be safe, and LET'S GO RACE BIKES!

This is awesome, thanks for setting it up! Like you said, I’m thinking if I can be in the mix when the pointy end of the field starts to stretch out, I can find wheels to surf. 

And I like the idea of over communicating. It’s usually comforting to hear a Kissena voice somewhere in the field. If we can communicate and mooooove up on that last lap we can deliver Ricky to drop one of those long sprints he’s been hitting us with every weekend in NJ.