tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post453146712830617357..comments2024-03-19T05:40:22.017-04:00Comments on Sprinter della Casa: How to - Beat a SprinterAkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430651087205849350noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post-11817463255640555862012-03-13T10:51:13.647-04:002012-03-13T10:51:13.647-04:00This is good for sprinters who can't handle re...This is good for sprinters who can't handle repeated, ceaseless aerobic threshold efforts. But how do you deal with a rider like Tom Boonen or Thor Hushovd? They can't be dropped. In fact, they can drop most riders. In an elite setting, there are very few sprinters as you describe. Most are all-rounders. As a time-trialist, my challenge is getting in a break and getting pipped by people who have way more jump than I do. At the elite level, such guys can outsprint the type of sprinter you describe.<br />I think the best way to deal with this type of all-rounded sprinter is to keep an open mind and not let the sprinter psych you out. Witness Sep Vanmarcke out-sprinting Boonen at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this year. He did what Flecha never seems to do because he saw an opportunity. He remained calm. Often, non-sprinters do silly things like stay at the front (I remember Ballan in the velodrome leading out Boonen in 2008, for instance). <br />That said, taking an opportunity is really key. I think point #5 is helpful when dealing with an all-rounded sprinter. You have to take them by surprise. Cancellara is way stronger than everyone, but he will never outsprint this type of all-rounded sprinter, so he needs to pick a moment and go early, as he did when he won Milan-San-Remo, or when he dropped Boonen in 2010 with his "motorbike".Emile de Rosnayhttp://emilederosnay.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post-89851040639586478562007-05-21T20:43:00.000-04:002007-05-21T20:43:00.000-04:00Thanks, this was hilarious. You've described ever...Thanks, this was hilarious. You've described every sprinter I know, including myself (well, I used to be able to sprint). We hold on like grim death to get to the last 200 meters and we'll do almost anything to get there. Others complain that we're wheelsucking but they're really just jealous. :)Thomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05760361666218844332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36139180.post-74702828287475801452007-05-06T10:11:00.000-04:002007-05-06T10:11:00.000-04:00Nice post. How about "pulling an Eki"? A late late...Nice post. How about "pulling an Eki"? A late late breakaway in that "dead zone" just before the leadout train starts and the sprinters are trying to focus on their positioning. It seems like no one wants to work hard just before the part where they know hard work is required and this leads to riders thinking a second or two longer than they would before jumping to close the gap for their sprinters. On the Gimbel's ride for example this tends to be just before the first hump on the final sprint. I like to jump really hard there because I know no one can sprint from that far and to close the gap to me would mean they have to waste their energy. It's a perfect catch-22 sprinters do not want to be get involved in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com