-_-'' Daniel from Passione bikes signed me up for the criterium this weekend... His premise was that, well, I only have to pay on the day itself so there's no harm signing up before first...

Should I jump into a race in my current HYSYS-weakened condition? It's probably the same level of fitness that saw the peloton ride me off its wheel on a flat last Sunday, and the NUS alumni easily shaking me off the wash..

Anyway, assuming the hypothetical situation where I actually race this weekend, I'm supposedly in 2 categories: Men's Sport and Men's Open (I actually suggested the later myself, in a moment of folly).

Men's Sport: 25mins + 3 laps
1st $30, 2nd $20, 3rd $15

Men's Open: 90mins + 2 laps
1st $500, 2nd $200, 3rd $150, 4th $100, 5th $50 and $20 sprint primes (x5)

The rule of the game is simple: ride round Changi Business Park (behind expo mrt) for the stipulated time, upon which the bell will sound when you past the start/finish line, indicating you have to complete another 3 rounds. First rider not-lapped wins. Infact, I think lapped riders are taken off the course....

And yeah, there's prize money, but well..... I'm not in that league. And for Men's sport it's really a small sum, since the entry fee per event is already $35. Yes, if I'm crazy enough to race I would be spending like $70 just to enter the race, which has like no goody bag nor event shirt etc etc. And 95% chance of no medal.

The Men's Sport usually ends in a bunch sprint due to the short duration + not so large disparity in the level of riders. There will likely be a couple of disorganised attacks, but they will easily be swallowed back by the peloton. I remember the last and only 2 criteriums I did 2 years back, I was the first out of the final corner but the last quarter across the line T_T. Obviously a change of tactics is required. And yes, I can't sprint on a bike.

As for Men's Open.... It's a different game altogether as the top riders will likely collaborate and split / reduce the field as much as they can, before finally breaking away together. We will likely see relentless attacking again and again, especially around corners. Once the decisive breakaway is formed, the top few positions/medals are effectively gone. The chasers/peloton basically are left to race for.... I don't even know if there will be scraps. OK, race for completion of the race then -_-''

Wow, I just wasted so much time again. Lab report here I come...................