OBRA: OBRA Chat: Breaking a block

Breaking a block

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Ciarand-@aol.com

2003-03-23

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I just have to reply to this whole conversation, the fact that any team would

even think about using these tactics is laughable and shows that they are

trying to win through use of pure numbers rather then tactical skill or

strength. Firstly I feel the unbalanced numbers of the certain teams here in

Oregon lend itself to this train of thought. If you pay attention to a race

from else where in the world where team numbers are on more of an equal

footing this type of tactic is nearly impossible. Most teams would police

from the back of a break not contributing to it or just soft pedaling through

in a chasing line out. The other major factor is that you would generate way

too many unfriendly teams and it can come back around to bite you in the a*$.

Its generally easier to ride against a number of teams that are equally

competing rather then 20 teams that are going to make sure somebody else

rather then the team that blocks the road wins. Oh yeah also in a UCI or

affiliated federations race you can be removed by the referee for

unsportsmanlike behavior for impeding the forward motion of a rider by

holding, pulling, dragging and blocking by using your bike or body. If you

think this is a joke 4 members of the Irish national squad were removed from

the final GC of a stage race in Ireland on the final day for being too

aggressive and using unsportsmanlike behavior against the yellow jersey and

the Italian national squad who held it at the time. But of course if you want

to go down this road be prepared for the official and rider backlash that

comes with it.

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<HTML>I just have to reply to this whole conversation, the fact that any team would even think about using these tactics is laughable and shows that they are trying to win through use of pure numbers rather then tactical skill or strength. Firstly I feel the unbalanced numbers of the certain teams here in Oregon lend itself to this train of thought. If you pay attention to a race from else where in the world where team numbers are on more of an equal footing this type of tactic is nearly impossible. Most teams would police from the back of a break not contributing to it or just soft pedaling through in a chasing line out. The other major factor is that you would generate way too many unfriendly teams and it can come back around to bite you in the a*$. Its generally easier to ride against a number of teams that are equally competing rather then 20 teams that are going to make sure somebody else rather then the team that blocks the road wins. Oh yeah also in a UCI or affiliated federations race you can be removed by the referee for unsportsmanlike behavior for impeding the forward motion of a rider by holding, pulling, dragging and blocking by using your bike or body. If you think this is a joke 4 members of the Irish national squad were removed from the final GC of a stage race in Ireland on the final day for being too aggressive and using unsportsmanlike behavior against the yellow jersey and the Italian national squad who held it at the time. But of course if you want to go down this road be prepared for the official and rider backlash that comes with it.

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flash-@aol.com

2003-03-23

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I can share a unique way to break an across-the-road team blocking tactic. I

don't think Jerry Powell would mind my sharing this story. Back in the

mid-80's, I was racing in a road stage of the Sandpoint (ID.) Stage Race. A

solo rider had escaped the peleton, and his team had literally set up a

phalanx across the road and slowed down to about 15mph. We were all back

complaining and whining at them, but we were at a loss about how to break the

block. Then, I watched Jerry do one of the most extraordinary things I have

ever seen in a bike race. First, he got his front wheel between two of the

blockers. Then, he wiggled his handlebars so he got by their saddles. Then,

he turn his upper body sideways, held his handlebars with one hand, and

wriggled his shoulders past the riders in front. We were all waiting for the

inevitable crash. BUT, he got his front wheel past them, he took off, they

chased, and the block was broken! Major Cajones, Jerry. BTW, I do not

recommend this tactic, but it was fun to watch.

Steve Scarich

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<HTML>I can share a unique way to break an across-the-road team blocking tactic. I don't think Jerry Powell would mind my sharing this story. Back in the mid-80's, I was racing in a road stage of the Sandpoint (ID.) Stage Race. A solo rider had escaped the peleton, and his team had literally set up a phalanx across the road and slowed down to about 15mph. We were all back complaining and whining at them, but we were at a loss about how to break the block. Then, I watched Jerry do one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen in a bike race. First, he got his front wheel between two of the blockers. Then, he wiggled his handlebars so he got by their saddles. Then, he turn his upper body sideways, held his handlebars with one hand, and wriggled his shoulders past the riders in front. We were all waiting for the inevitable crash. BUT, he got his front wheel past them, he took off, they chased, and the block was broken! Major Cajones, Jerry. BTW, I do not recommend this tactic, but it was fun to watch. 

 

Steve Scarich

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