Sure, I did a race recently, and targeted the start. I wanted to see if I could get a fast start and stay with the lead group, and then see how long? It was a blast and I buried myself. But, I gained valuable experience and was happy. No disappointment in the final placing.
Other goals:
- work on passing, start moderate and try to find the best ways to pass.
- work on technically clean, keep a constant effort and maintain speed through technical aspects. Not sure how to measure this one.
- Save yourself for the last lap and see how fast you can go compared to your first lap at the end.
- do 10 minute surges over unders and see if you can maintain this through the race.
-Tons of goals you can have to keep it fun, when the podium is an unrealistic goal.
BTW, I would bet that my fitness was as good as most fo the field. I know that my inexperience was the reason I couldn’t keep up. And there is only one way to get experience.