Hello all,
As I've been watching YouTube videos of high level racers recording their races (e.g. Goettl Media, or the wonderful Heather Jackson), I am wondering how you more experienced racers approach those first 10 or so miles? The prevailing wisdom is that you want to be up near the front before you get to selection points like transitions from tarmac to single track or an attritional climb. However, the risk of burning too many matches early or getting caught in a crash with all of the like-minded bodies around you may mitigate the advantages over dropping immediately into the chase group in the first few miles and working from there to pick off stragglers until an effort can be mounted to target the lead group (perhaps benefiting those who, as Ben Delaney puts it, orient towards "old-man steady-hard pace").
I know this is a question that is subjective to the particular rider, so I'm curious what wisdoms and experiences you all have on this to share.
Thank you!
Picture semi-unrelated. Only for attention.