I am in.

Joshua

Yes I'm in.

Ok, stepping in as road captain, and hoping folks are ok with that...remember this is a benevolent dictatorship. I will make you hurt, but it is for the greater good.

We have 3 goals in this race: 1) Help Joe M defend the polka dot Jersey. Take points away from Joe Jacobs in the sprint competition. 3rd) Win this race.

We have 15 riders in the field. We should break up into 3 teams each with a specific responsibilities based on the three goals. Here are my team role breakout suggestions:

Team 1: Defend the polka dot jersey:
Joseph Mueller
Daniel Wong
Nathaniel Miller
Patrick Grehan
Daniel Reiners
patrol the front in the first two thirds of the race, on KOM laps make sure Joe is near the front. Attack before/at the base of the hill, and Joe counters with the others. Once the two KOMs are done, be ready to block for the 3rd Team.

Team B: Take the points away from Joe Jacobs in the sprint
Ian Ellis
Andrew Allmendinger
James Nelson
Richard Henning
Jeffrey White
Think 3 minute VO2Max workouts, attack by the temple, and hold it. If this is caught, somebody else immediately counter. This should HURT, but makes the chasers hurt too. If you've got a separation after the sprint, work on getting a break established. Your Team B compadres, and Team 1 will block in the field to help this tactic work.

3rd Team: 1st Place is your goal!
Wojciech Plata
Jeff Owens
Christopher Bloome
Joshua Meny
Christopher Conde
Wait, wait, wait. Be patient, don't do anything in the first 7 laps. Sit at the back, chat, discuss Kate Middleton's gown, we don't really care. Just stay out of the wind. Go with the flow, let the rest of us patrol the front, and manage the sprints/KOM. Your job. Both Jeff and Wojciech are good breakaway artists. If you're fresh for the last 1/3 of this race, you have a shot to snap the rubber band and break the will of the other teams. Whomever isn't blown up from KOM or Sprint duty will help block and patrol the front.

Let me know if people are fine with this, or you feel you'd be better working on another team. Also if you're not on this list let me know.

Thanks for organizing this up Dan, looks like a solid line up. My only comments are:
1) Things can always change but I would like to have 2 lead out guys go right after the finish line. I would like to be the third person in that line and my plan is to just sit up forcing the Jacobs brothers to jump off my wheel (because that is where they will be) and chase you giving me a nice little ride up the hill.

2) I feel like if the guys on the 3rd Team want to try a break away or counter the KOM or Points sprints they should be able to go whenever. They will eat up the points either way and who knows they just may stay away.

3) I'm down to lead out anyone one who feels like sprinting for the win so I will be in the mix for that as well.

4) Is John M. a 4 now? John are you racing with us sat?

Sounds good to me. But you should know, this is my first race of the year. I have no idea how I stack up. I do feel a little off of where I should be. That said, I'll give it my best. At minimum I should be good for patrolling the front in the beginning of the race and helping into the first sprint.

It's a sound framework, I think. Thanks, Dan, for being decisive.

I agree with Joe that it would be better to start the KOM pain before the bottom of the hill, and I like his plan for a two-man attack/lead-out that forces the Jacobs to close the gap. Wouldn't it be nice to get our opponents to help with our own man's lead-out?

Yack said the KOM is generally right after the sprint prems. Like, literally right after? 500 meters up the road? In that case, Team 1 needs to work hard to hold the sprinters' wheels so they are in position to begin the KOM proceedings. That's gonna hurt.

@Jeff White: Usually it is the next lap that is the KOM after the Sprint, not the next 500 meters.

@Joe: That makes things simpler.

Let's not forget: there are other strong riders in this race. Maybe almost as strong as the Jacobs. Those other guys might be interested in a break, and if they're smart, they'll try to get a Kissena to go with. Be opportunistic.

Thanks Dan. I'm down for my role.

Let's make sure we also coordinate within our own group to make sure we're clear on tasks. For instance, Team B should have some idea of who is attacking and then countering before the crucial moment to avoid stepping on our own toes.

Also, since I missed last week, can someone please point out who the Jacobs are?

See you Saturday.

Sounds good on paper! The only thing I would say is that while maybe actually sitting in for the majority of a race and waiting until the end is something I should try for once, I'm probably better suited to leadout duties on the climbs and to a lesser extent the sprints. But of course, I won't deny the opportunity to do very little work and go for glory at the end.

The problem with Jacobs and Jacobs Pt. II is they are in very good shape, and tiny. When I caught up to them and Joe after the second KOM last week, those two weren't even tired (Joe wasn't either). The one stayed away until the temple and probably could've soloed in if he had wanted to. The point is that it's going to take a concerted effort to wear them out. We have a lot of guys, and as mentioned, there are other strong riders, but I'm not sure how to go about attacking them. Yacks had some good ideas. They are careful to be *near* the front without actually being on it, unless they have a purpose. So they're no dummy hammerheads. We'll have to be just as smart, but without blinders on, in how we go after them.

attack them before they want to gear up. Think 1k before...make them panic and chase. Keep a healthy presence on the front of the race before the sprint & KOM so you can soft pedal and block after a teammate launches. Show them our #'s at the front and make it clear that there are no free rides to the KOM & Sprint launches. If you guys conserve your energy and stick to a plan you can run a clinic out there as there is strength in #'s, but only when used properly.
Seacrest out...

Team B: we should make sure we have someone on the Jacobs wheels in the sprint - EVEN if we have someone successfully up the road taking max points - we really don't want them taking 2nd either so if someone can follow jacobs and come round at the line : we can keep them out of the top 2 positions and that would be a great achievement.

After a super hard effort to take those sprint points team B will be a bit tired ! All pushes from fellow Kissenas to make sure Team B riders don't get gapped/dropped on the hill will be gratefully received !

Sounds good. I'm happy to burn matches for Team B.

Ian, the idea of having someone sit on the Jacobs' during the sprint attack is a good one. If we put them on the defensive early, say 1k, as Yacks suggested, (somewhere around the temple or just after?) and our attack/counter doesn't hold for whatever reason, the tailgunner can take a free ride, then launch a more traditional sprint and come around them closer to the line.

We may also want to agree to an order and change up who initiates the attacks as the first person to go will be marked next time 'round.

Looking forward to it. Shall we meet up for a little pre-race chat?

congrats to mike for a great result (2nd in a Pro123...on your cross bike what!) and picking up KoM... and to Eric for a flat followed by finishing in the money. great work by everyone riding the team race. well done.

hey, better late than never... i'm catching up on threads here ;p~

Just a comment, not on tactics or personnel. But from the Tuesday workouts - those of you who stayed close to me on the jumps and 1 min efforts - you are pretty damn fast for those efforts and plan to use that strength to your advantage when figuring out tactics.

Eric

Lets meet by the bathrooms at 6:10 for a pre-race chat: put name to glasses/helmet/bike combo (what passes for actual face recognition in a race situation), so you can know who's on your team for this race, and discuss in a little more detail.

I agree that each team needs to be working to help each other team, I was laying out the primary roles and a potential way to show our strength without blowing up in the first 5 laps and ended up with nothing in the tank for the end. There is going to have to be some improvisation here, but what we want to do is make Jacobs choose what they can defend. We fight for each jersey now, and force them to focus on one and give up the others.

i'm in, however i was really bad last week so i'm not really of any use.
atleast i wont be on my bike that dropped my chain whilst neither going over a bump or changing gear...

I see Gideon is signed up. If he's riding anything like he was earlier this year, he can do some hard work for any of the "sub-teams." I would *personally* put him on Team 3, going for promising late breaks and contributing to a lead-out.

BTW, why the 'cross bike? Actually, having said that, I punctured after hitting the massive pothole on the right about 50m after the st./fin. line in the cat 5 race on Saturday. Maybe I should use a 'cross bike...

Adam

Cool. 5 at least. Not including Dave, who I assume will attend. I have a bit of a plan that we can discuss tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

Adam

Yeah, I'm definitely there. Let's plan in the morning.

Jeff, I accept the nomination to be in group 3. El Presidente-Capt'n-Dictator Dan, is this an acceptable place?
See you all at 6:10.

Posted By: AdamBTW, why the 'cross bike? Actually, having said that, I punctured after hitting the massive pothole on the right about 50m after the st./fin. line in the cat 5 race on Saturday. Maybe I should use a 'cross bike...

Adam

It was the only functioning bike I had at the time.

P.S. Cross Rules!

@ Joe, I'm in for tomorrow—entry 110!

@ Y'all/Dan
Not sure of best role here after my stretch of second place getting in Cat 5. I know from the morning drills that I have decent power. Perhaps I should be assisting sprint team? Cap'n Dan?

I tallied teams:
Kissena 19
NY Velo 8
Teany 6
Scotto's/Foundation 4 ea.
Hudson 3 
Jacobs 2 (easily identifiable in their white jerseys, but Joe will have leader jersey?)

Roles
Is this the plan?
- KOM: Joe.
- SPRINT: Alex? Who else?
- RACE WINNER: Alex sprint or Wojciech & Jeff O. breakaway?
- Would these guys be on-the-road captains as well?

Tomorrow, predicting 9-12mph head/side into sprint/KOM. 49ºF.

I posted this in the Cat 5 thread, but I think it's worth repeating:
Check yourself before you _____ yourself...
"Why are you in the wind? What are you doing? Is there a reason you’re doing all the work or are you just up here showboating? Are you chasing someone down? No. Are you setting tempo for a teammate? No. Are you trying to impress a girl on the sidelines (a perfectly legitimate reason by the way)? No? Then get the heck out of the wind! Am I drinking enough? Am I eating enough? Am I too far to the front? Am I too far to the back? Why am I on the left side of the road? Why am I on the right side of the road? Why am I in the big chain ring? Why am I in the little chain ring? Where are my teammates? Do they know where I am? Constantly asking myself questions like this keeps me on track and prevents me from wasting energy that won’t eventually help me achieve my goal for that particular race. At any point during the race, ask yourself, Is there a good reason for me to be doing what I am doing or riding where I’m riding? If you can’t find a damn good reason to justify sitting in the wind or dangling on the back or fiddling with your handlebar tape, then you better make a quick adjustment."

via http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7452

Good luck tomorrow men (and I call you men even though you know what you really are). Keep an eye on the rider who inherited the green jersey as he will have illusions of keeping it. This series is wide open and everything is for the taking. If one of you gets some sprint points and feels as if you could win the jersey, I will happily ride in support. Having 2 riders in contention is tactically the best move as the team has 2 cards to play. The weather is going to be nice = a big field = stay near your teammates or you will get seperated in the herd. Now go put the SMASH in SMASH MOUTH!

Yack-fu

After last night's bludgeoning, I am officially missing the Cat 5's... kind of.

Good luck out there tomorrow fellas. You've got good depth. Keep winning!

For the record, I finally got a pic with SS winners trophy/Barney Jersey. That's Sam who placed second next to me.

Sounds good to me Dan.

I might miss the pre-race meeting but I'll be there

WHAT

HAPPENED???

Rich got a flat (again).

I didn't see Wojiech.


Aaaaaaaaaaaaand....

John and Kevin finished strong in the top 10 I think. Joe kept the KOM. Not sure about intermediate sprints, sorry. The dynamic duo of the lawfirm Jacobs and Jacobs rode in the joggers lane. Surprisingly, I think there may not have been a crash, although the usual last lap sketchiness didn't disappoint. I think it was the first time riding in a group for many people. There were women in the race and they beat me (again). Good times baby!

Short report:

Short report. Dudes rode their asses off. Myles, Joaquin and William all flatted. Major bummer.

Ragot gave me a killer lead-out for the KOM but I crapped out and got swarmed by 4-5 guys.

We missed the break of ~7 that stayed away. Keith, Ragot, and I chased. I was pretty much dead with 3 to go.

Ragot got very close to bridging solo but came up short. Ragot and Lenny got closed out of the sprint for top 10 on the right I think - they could fill you in on these details better than I.

Shucks. I rode 10x harder than last week. The dudes were great. I have a lot to learn, but it was a good experience trying to stay close to the front of a big field which I don't really have any experience with.

I will volunteer to ride for anyone who has the legs next Saturday.