2 cyclocross starts that will improve the beginning of your race

In cyclocross, the start is important. Get the jump on your competition with these two techniques

Canadian Cycling Magazine November 11, 2016

Aaron Schooler of Focus CX Team Canada has two cyclocross starts at his disposal for the beginning of a CX race.

One start is out-of-the-saddle. It’s best for when you have a good start position at the front of the group with no one ahead of you. For the out-of-the-saddle start, you clip your dominant leg in and position your pedal at about 2 o’clock. You want to be able to push down with maximum leverage. With the foot you have on the ground, you push forward, as if you were propelling a skateboard. With this start, you get a good initial surge, so if you are at the back of the pack, you may bump into the rider in front of you. A drawback that some riders find with the out-of-the-saddle start is difficulty clipping in.

The second style of start that Schooler outlines, the seated start, does make it easier to clip in. For this type of start, your feet are in similar positions to the the out-of-the-saddle start, however, your behind is on the saddle. As mentioned, this start does make it easier for you to clip in. The drawback is that you aren’t able to put down as much power with your clipped-in leg. Schooler finds this start useful in races in which he’s starting at the back. Because there’s a bit of a lag between the starting siren and the riders at the back having space to start moving, the slower seated start works well.

Whatever start you use, it’s important to have the right gearing selected beforehand. If the gearing is too high, you’ll be grinding and not moving forward quickly enough. If the gearing is too low, you’ll be spinning out and looking for a harder gear. Practice will not only help you improve your cyclocross starts, but help you to find the gearing that’s right for you.