RIDING RHYTHM SECTIONS AGRESSIVE YET SMOOTH
We do it all the time, we come out of the second corner and attack the rhythm section focusing on speed and staying smooth with a simple goal of getting through it fast as possible without getting passed. We get so caught up in the moment of not making mistakes, focusing on each and every little backside and we lose sight of the importance of racing with our heads! The thing we do tend to forget is our position on the straightaway, or as I like to refer to; “as the road.” We love to attack the section in the middle (because if you make a mistake you won’t go off the track as easily) and tend to stay there or sometime drift to the wide side of the road, to set up the next corner so you can get in and out of it with speed. Bottom line is this, racing is about positioning and limiting risks of getting passed. You want to “force the competition to always go around you.” Make them take the longer route, protect the inside. Especially coming out of turns because smart riders are going to start their drive out off the bank of the corner and gain as much speed as possible in attempt to pass you before the next corner. The fast line will be to come off the turn and simply aim at the inside line all the way down the road – taking the shortest distance because they didn’t have to swerve to get over the other side of you. This will also set them up to make the inside dive on the next corner. Check out the diagrams below.
IN THE DIAGRAM BELOW – Red rider swings out to the middle of the road upon exit of the turn. This is a bad choice as the Blue Ride sees the road open up in front of them and commits to the easier and shorter distance of the inside line.
IN THE DIAGRAM BELOW – The Red Rider rides smartly this time, protecting the inside of the road on the exit of the turn. This forces the blue rider to swing outside and look for another passing lane. The Red Rider also rides smartly by applying gap control between him and the Blue Rider so he can take away option such as a cross over pass or a high low in the last turn. This is smart defensive riding. The Red Rider is also now set up to enter the last turn taking a middle line that allows to carry entrance and exit speed so they can continue racing to the line.
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