Popcorn Sprints

 

Get riders on the blue traveling in two pace lines ˝ lap apart at 30 km/h.  On the whistle the lead rider in each group does a full-on sprint (maximal effort with maximal jump), shutting the sprint down just in time to be able to comfortably join the back of the next group.  Riders who shut it down too late should be instructed to ride higher on the track to pass above the group.  As always, taking the longer, steeper line up track is the way to slow down.  Riders who make the mistake of passing underneath the group take too fast and too short a path to get behind.  They must drop down to the coté and stop to rejoin the group.  Be sure the riders in the pace lines do not pick up the pace in anticipation of their efforts and maintain the ˝ lap separation.  Blow the whistle at random intervals so they cannot anticipate when their effort will come up.  Be sure, however, that both of the riders who have just done an effort are close to being back in place in the pace line.  It is not good to have one rider coming up fast and having to go over the top of the group just as the earlier rider is dropping back from having ridden over the group.  Note that this drill becomes inappropriate with larger numbers of riders due to the lack of distance between the two groups.  Riders should be able to get a 6 second effort in.  Where numbers do not permit that and riders are experienced, mass sprints off the blue are mandated.

 

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