In this piece, we outline the single biggest factor that will dictate how the field in the An Post Rás will break up and how to handle it; crosswinds. In the shot above, the breeze is coming from the left. And in the "explainer" photo below, it is coming in from the right of shot (Photo: Sportsfile)
By Paddy Doran
Peak Endurance Coaching
With a mainly flat course for this year’s race one of the big challenges for some Irish domestic riders in the Rás will be adapting to racing with riders who are experienced at riding when the wind blows strongly from the side.
This is second nature to the professionals and Irish riders who have ridden international events.
However to turn a corner from a head or tailwind to where suddenly the wind is blowing strongly from the left or right can be a major shock.
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The experienced teams get into efficient formations – called echelons - and drive the field into a long line in the gutter.
In this situation it’s only a matter of time before the group is broken into lots of small groups trying to battle the wind.
Side winds can sometimes create bigger gaps between groups than some climbs.
Positioning before meeting the side wind is crucial to holding a place near to the front.
Once the speed goes on in the side wind it’s very difficult to get back into the front groups even for very strong riders.
Weaker riders will let wheels go causing splits right through the field.
Preplanning positioning is the key to survival and knowing where side winds will occur could be the difference in finishing in the front group or losing a lot of time.
Even in the Tour De France, some of the favourites for the overall classification gain, or lose, time on flat windy stages by being well placed or too far back when the echelons begin.
Studying the route maps and the weather forecast each morning will help identify where the side winds will occur.
Then it’s a matter of getting the best position possible and working hard to maintain it.
Explaining how, and why, you should ride in echelons
Here's a photo I took of former top UK rider Chris Newton’s team riding and winning the team time trial stage of the Rás in Carraroe some years ago.
Even if you aren't riding the Rás, or you don't race at all; I'll explain at the very end why this is important for you.
But first let me outline at length what's happening in this photo and why.
There was a gale blowing in from the sea to the right of shot and they have a great echelon going to combat it.
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The rider on the front is getting hit by the maximum strength of the wind and those behind are using him and each other to hide from the breeze.
In this shot, the rider on the far right has just been on the front.
He is peeling off and going to the back of the group. He is lashed by the full strength of the breeze while on the front.
And he continues to be hit full force by the breeze until he goes to the back and pulls up to the side of the rider ahead of him, thus using him as a shield from the breeze.
It is the rider second from right who is on the front of the group here.
And when he peels off the front, he too goes quickly to the back of the group; by dropping his speed marginally and finding himself last man in a few seconds.
The man on the front goes hard, and then peels off and goes to the back, allowing everyone else do their short turn on the front one by one.
And by the time it is each man's turn to hit the front again each is hopefully in control of his breathing and slightly rested to go hard on the front again.
That way, the speed is kept up.
But in a bunch situation, there is only room for maybe 10 to 15 men to ride in this formation.
The formation can only go as wide as the road and only 10 to 15 men will fit into the width of a road; much fewer if the road is narrower.
Anyone behind the riders in the front echelon rotating in this way would be lined out in the gutter in single file, to the left of this shot; on the wrong side of the road.
They will have no shelter from the cross wind because they will be directly behind the rider in front of them, rather than pulled up to his side (because they would be in the ditch or grass) as the riders are in this photo.
With no shelter there, the riders in single file are exposed to the breeze all of the time are no match for the well drilled strong riders at the front; all able to maintain a high speed because they are getting a break from the wind.
If you don't race, this may seem complicated so let's make it simple.
If you are out training in a group or riding in a sportive in a group and the breeze is coming from the left or right, simply position yourself so that the rider in front is acting as a barrier between you and the breeze; shelter in behind him.
Don't shelter directly behind him; move up one side of him to make sure his body gives you maximum shelter from whatever angle the crosswind is blowing.
And keep as tight to him as you can to maximise the shelter his body can offer.
You don't really need to ride in echelon formation, you just need to hide behind - and to the side - of him to use his body to break the breeze hitting you, thus making it much easier for you.
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