No 4th cats at Palace this year

[Joseph 'on the front' Clifford]

A heads up if you are a 4th cat and are targeting Palace this year.

Hadn't seen anyone post it on here so thought I'd share and spread the word.

[Yves Berger]

Thanks Joseph, shame as i wanted to start my late racing career with those crits :-(

Might have to look for other crits in the area...

[Deleted]

Yves, Palace is never the best place to start racing as it's significantly more intense/technical than anywhere else. I can recommend either Hog Hill or Cyclopark depending on how steep you like your hills. Ironically the 4th cat only at Velopark tend to be safer than the 3rd cat races there but it's still the worst designed course in town.

[Yves Berger]

OK thanks Keir!

Likely to go for Lee Valley full gas ones .... a tad closer from central london , safer (in your own word!) but i'll just have to get more and more aero there :-P

[Deleted]

After a few initial Crits last year I had a go at CPC's.
I can confirm that CP Crits are delightfully brutal.

Yves, get a feel for race pace and proximity elsewhere first as suggested. Once you're confident (and 3rd) get involved.

Then be prepared for that pace to be upped by at least 20%, with half the space. And don't brake. Just go hard. Then harder.

Expect to leave your heart and lungs somewhere under a tree, before booking your next race immediately.

[Yves Berger]

Good insight guys! Back to the pain cave and then velopark at is!