Definition : Blocking

What follows is a rant.  I'm expressing my opinions here so that you'll have a chance to express your opinion too.  When I express my opinion in a race there's not always time to hear the other side of the story.  These are my opinions and not those of Team Specialized, NCCF or any of our sponsors, although I know that they would agree with the topic at hand.  We are seeing way too much of this lately.

Get out of my way!  That's right.  If there is a break up the road, I have missed the move -and- I want to chase it back, DO NOT get in front of me unless you are helping to chase!  Racers move to the front for safety and tactical reasons and we understand that, but DO NOT move to the front to BLOCK.  Blocking the progress of the race is unnecessary and unbecoming of your sponsors.

The Team Specialized Juniors know that its important to race forward, not impede the progress of the chase!  All nine juniors dream of racing in Europe with the USA National Team.  When in Europe (as many graduates and current riders have experienced) the races go FORWARD.  There is no blocking! 

Two quick examples:
1) you have no teammates up the road in a breakaway.  It may stay away.  It may get caught.  You will either gamble that the break will come back and let the speed of the pack bring it back, or you will hit the "panic button", serve your penitence and need to chase.  When you chase with others that have a vested interest in chasing we do not want riders BLOCKING our progress.  Get out of the way and let us chase!
2) you lucked out and your teammate is up the road in a breakaway.  It may stay away, it may get caught.  Your "job" as a teammate is to be attentive to those trying to get across to the break.  Your position in the field should be no further forward than behind the chasing riders/ teams.  You DO NOT hit the front of the field and slam on the brakes going into a corner.  When you do this we will yell out opinions of your foolish racing tactics.  Get out of the way and DO NOT BLOCK!

Larry Nolan, 27 years racing, and quite opinionated about the subject of BLOCKING!