Race a Criterium-Run The Road with Speed and Confidence

CLOSE QUARTERS Though racers technically shouldn't make contact in the pack, it happens often and a little preparation will help you avoid crashing. Join local group rides to build your pack-riding prowess, says Carter. For more practice, go to a grassy field with a friend and knock shoulders and handlebars at a low speed.

TRAIN FOR SPEED Successful racers can sprint out of corners lap after lap and still have energy for the finish, says Frank Overton, owner of FasCat Coaching and a Level-1 USA Cycling coach. "Anaerobic intervals develop the power to match accelerations, attacks and sprints," he says. He suggests doing this workout once a week: Warm up for 20 minutes then perform four one-minute intervals with a minute of recovery between each. When done, spin easy for five minutes, then repeat the set.

GET READY If possible, preride the course to get acquainted with its turns, rises and descents. Then, if you have a stationary trainer or rollers, complete a 30-minute easy spin 45 minutes before the start, says Overton. Finish the warm-up with three 15-second sprint efforts to prepare your body for race intensity.

CARVE TURNS "Focus on the curve's exit, not the wheel in front of you," Overton says. Keep your hands in the drops and place your weight on your outside pedal, with your foot in the 6 o'clock position. "This lowers your center of gravity and increases stability," he says. If you feel uneasy, stay outside the pack on turns--you'll have more room to correct your line.

ATTACK THE PACK There's no surefire way to predict whether a break will be successful, "but attacking when the peloton least expects it, or is just unwilling to chase, helps your odds," Carter says. Take off when another break is pulled back or in a strong headwind. If you're a climber, you can also surprise the bunch by attacking before--not on--a hill. If you're a strong sprinter, try surging ahead on a smaller climb. But, Carter adds, a break can succeed only if you strategize with other strong riders willing to work together; otherwise, you'll be back in the pack before you know it.

FINISH SMART "Focus on the last lap," Overton says. "Get yourself into the top 10 and pedal hard through the last two turns." Start your sprint about 200 meters from the line and give it everything you have. Keep your hands in the drops and your head low to reduce wind drag. Don't go for it if you're not at the head of the pack, though. Sprinting for 13th place, Overton says, is how crashes happen.