Originally Posted by
Doge
I'd appreciate input on how to communicate with the rider as to points, what is going on, and general riding. It was a fun time.
During mass start races, only officials are allowed to be trackside, out of the infield. Trying to communicate with a rider during a mass start race is not only a distraction, but it can be dangerous. If you're in the midst of a mass start race, your attention should be focused on what is going on within the race, not trying to pick out your coach and decipher their messages.
Most racers won't have a true idea of the points scoreboard outside of their own points. They'll be tracking their own points and maybe those of a couple of other favourites, but they'll only have an idea of who has how many points. Unless you're in a small break, then there are too many riders to keep an exacting score.
Originally Posted by
Doge
Thoughts on tactics like is it better to catch the pack, or stay in front an take points. How many do you want to go with you etc.
This will depend of how the organizer lays out the scoring system, and who is in the break with you and also, who is left in the pack. Some organizers award points for gaining a lap, but then everyone finishes on the same lap (it doesn't matter how many times you lap the field, if someone has more points than you they still win); others don't but separate those who are a lap down from those that lapped the field (you can be in a breakaway of five guys, lap the field, get no points and still get 5th place).
If points are given for taking a lap (where everyone finishes on the same lap), then it might be wise to stay out as long as possible to collect points with your break before latching onto the group again. Often times, a break may be fully capable of catching the field, but may try to sit 1/3 to 1/2 a lap behind the field as long as possible to collect points.
If your group is large enough that you aren't getting points, then it is best to sit in for a bit, and solo to the pack on your own to get the points, in the hopes that this breaks up the group,they can't stay away, then try to get points again once the breakaway gets re-absorbed.
Those are just a couple of examples, but there are way to many situations to be able to outline them. I know that seems like the easy way out when answering this, but strategy really depends on a combination of who you are racing against, where you are in relation to the pack or break, the strengths of those who are your immediate competition, how much racing is left, the scoring system, and where you are sitting as far as points go.
It really is more of an experiential/instinctive learning thing.