I have a couple of questions regarding season planning:
1) Racing Days
I'm wondering what number of racing days is normal, and will not ruin my riders fatigueness.
I've found some guides from old cycling managers stating it is 60. But some of my main riders will probably have 70-75, is this to much? and if so, is the impact big?
2) Team Schedule
Do you guys mostly leave the race schedule that is generated at the start of the season for your team? I have the impression that my team is enrolled in a very high number of races. It might be realistic but I don't know...
However the answer to question 1 might change my opinion on this... if 70-75 days for my cyclists is OK, then my calendar is not to busy
3) Rider Schedule
Am I correct that scheduling races for the cyclists (I plan the whole season at the start) will NOT be taken into account in the fitness graph? and that the fitness graph is only linked to the objectives/goals of the cyclists
1) 70-75 is absolutely okay. Some of mine got up to 90 even.
I usually set goals and key races for all riders. The fitness curve is made then automatically and you see if there is too much fatigue.
Then I start to make a calendar around those key races. Normally this is okay for the riders. And in late season also AI is more exhausted. Imo even more exhausted than player riders. So even with tired riders, you are still competive.
2) I would change it slightly. Depends if you are PT team or PCT/CT. First I change or cut a lot of C1, HC races as it`s too many otherwise I think.
Second I wouldn`t change too much as you might not get an invite. So always ask for invitation before cutting any races, that were pre set already. Otherwise you might end with none of them.
3) Imo it`s just the key races/goals that make the fitness curve. Not having tested this a lot but never had a different impression neither.
Just make sure you don`t have too many consecutive races or classics. Otherwise you now will get a reduction of the bars if you for example have 3 classics on consecutive days. Then you won`t be as fresh in the 3rd as you would be with a little break.
