Drill #1 Team Time Trial: The 5 to 7 person squads race around the large loop at Campground #1 for 4 laps. Race time was determined by the last man in the squad. Squads were split so each squad had a slower cyclist to take care of. The first drill resulted in riders splitting the groups up. By the second drill the 3 squads were much closer in ability. Communication and teamwork was emphasized.
Drill #2 Team Time Trial with the "mole". One rider from each squad was swapped out with another team. The new rider passively disrupted the time trial efforts of the other team. Passive blocking skills were intentionally opening up gaps in the pace line, slowing up in corners, verbally distracting riders, ect... The squads eventually adapted and learned to focus on riding smoothly and not trying to get ride of the "mole".
Drill #3, the last exercise was GC man sprint. The designation sprinter on each squad was paced for four laps and given a lead out by the other squad members. Two of the three sprinters were left on their own with 200 meters to go. Red squad won the sprint and two of their teammates were able to interrupt the lead-out of the other squads. The squads learned that proper execution of the lead out starts long before the last lap to go.
Team X members learned three essential components of effective team work. 1. communication, 2. Communication, 3. communication. By the end of the drills each squad had improved considerably.
Team X Cycling is geared to developing riders of all abilities. Category 5 to Category 2. effective teamwork is rare in American amateur racing and we are working to change that. Team X Cycling will be holding regular training camps for both youth and adult racers through out the year.
That afternoon Steve Rouff, Bill Marshall and Jim Whittaker presented Team X’s guide to cycling strategy. The hour and a half discussion was a great start to what promises to be an exciting year.
