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>I can't be at the AGM but thought I would make my >comment here (on this sadly neglected discussion >board) about the remit to replace all but one of the >handicap races with grade races. > >I haven't been racing long and freely defer to more >experienced heads here but for what its worth my >observations follow. I should also note that I only >cycled a few vet events last season as I mixed up my >racing with PNP events and a brace of fun rides. > >Grade races do provide more results for publicity >purposes and more winners and place getters to boost >egos and encourage participation. > >Winning handicap races unless you are in scratch is >dismissed as being the result of the handicapping >rather than your ability. If you are in a group other >than scratch and manage a race winning breakaway you >are a 'burglar'. > >However, handicap races do force cyclists to work >together and race harder than might otherwise be >necessary. > >Grade races with only a handful of riders can turn >into tame affairs where there is no incentive to race >hard as faux breakaways are chased down quickly, then >the pace drops again and it all comes down to a bunch >sprint. Much as I love bunch sprints I think my racing >would improve if I was forced to cope with more >variable race tactics. > >The most enjoyable race I had all season was the mass >start road champs. It was a somewhat unusual race as >the A graders just doddled along in the early stages >making life easy for the rest of us but the result was >determined to a great extent by tactical decisions >rather than just brute speed. And isn't it one of the >real attractions of cycling that tactics can be such a >part of the sport. > >So my vote would be for mostly grade races but with a >couple more mass start races.

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