This recent classic attack by Ian Stannard in Australia is perfect for the way most Irish road races pan out.
In Ireland, clever riding goes a lot further than in those pro races you watch on TV or in eyeballs-out amateur racing on the Continent.
Don’t get us wrong; racing is always tough and it’s always hard to win.
But in a country where races rarely go up huge climbs and where most events are not excessively long, using your head can go a long way.
So let’s have a look at what Irish racing cyclists might learn from the video below.
Team Sky’s Ian Stannard is (just about) taking victory after a clever move in the closing stages of last month’s Herald Sun Tour.
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What we’re looking at here is his timing.
Stannard attacks off the front of the breakaway just as attacks by other riders have been cancelled out.
He senses that those who have been attacking are at their limit, and just as everyone is looking around he jumps.
A stall in the group has already just about begun – a second or two earlier – when he attacks.
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And what he’s counting on is that that stall will continue for even a few seconds longer after he takes flight.
That is indeed what happens and the difference between his attacking speed and the group behind hesitating gives him a big gap in no time.
Once that gap is established he doesn’t mess about; he commits to the attack fully in a glory or die effort.
He’s either going to stay clear and win, or he’ll be caught and be so exhausted he’ll come last in the sprint.
There is absolutely no point in attacking this late in a race and holding a little bit back for the sprint just in case you’re caught!
If you’re going to attack; do it and then commit.
Stannard comes off the gas too much at the very end and he is almost caught on the line.
We definitely don’t advise you taking a leaf out of his book in that regard.
But do as he does when he attacks and then commits.
He waits for a stall and he waits until he’s near the top of a slight rise in the road; two excellent opportunities to make that last gasp attack.
The vast majority of races in Ireland are decided in a sprint from a breakaway or a bunch.
Don’t be afraid to have a go, but do it when you sense a stall rather than when the racing is full on.
And if you get a gap, then bury yourself all the way to the line.
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