MAAP RaceCraft How to Crit

· Ello van Gelderen

WV Amsterdam × MAAP LaB Amsterdam RaceCraftHow to Crit

A practical evening at Sportpark Sloten for experienced riders who want to learn to ride fast and safe, and take their first steps into crit racing. Technique, positioning, race etiquette and fuelling, on and off the track.

What it’s about

Crit racing isn’t about long distances, it’s about bike handling, positioning and short, sharp efforts. In this clinic you’ll learn how a race unfolds, how to move up safely and hold your place, how to keep your line through a corner, and the unwritten rules of the bunch.

We alternate short theory blocks in the clubhouse with practical work on the track, so you feel straight away what you’ve just heard. Sessions are led by the WVA team, supported by MAAP Ride Leaders riding along as spotters.

Who it’s for

  • Experienced riders who already join the BASE and TEMPO rides
  • Comfortable holding a wheel in a group ride and able to ride around 30 km/h solo
  • This is not an introduction to group riding and not suitable for absolute beginners

Programme

Four blocks, theory and practice alternating. Final timings confirmed at the start of the evening.

Registration from 17:30

Theory 1

The basics, in the clubhouse

  • What a crit is and how a race unfolds
  • Positioning: where to sit, moving up safely, staying out of the wind
  • Cornering lines and braking
  • Race etiquette and the unwritten rules (holding your line, no half-wheeling, signalling hazards)
  • Safety and what we expect on the track

Practical 1

On the track, in groups

  • Warm-up and bike-handling drills (bumping, looking back, bike control)
  • Cornering practice, holding your line through the bend
  • Riding in a bunch, rotating, single and double file

Theory 2

Going deeper, and fuelling

  • Feedback on the first session
  • Training in HR and power zones
  • RaceFuelling by Isabel from Maurten (30 min): fuel before and during the race

With Maurten products to try on the night.

Practical 2

Feel what racing feels like

  • A few controlled mock efforts, so you feel race pace and positioning

Sign up

Free to join, places are limited. Registration is through WV Amsterdam so we can plan the groups.

MAAP Lab Racecraft

Limited places · first come, first served

A collaboration between WV Amsterdam and MAAP LaB Amsterdam and Fueling by Maurten