Battle on the beach is a bit unique. Straight of the start you’ve got 3mls of flat beach possibly into a strong headwind. At the end of which there’s a bottle neck !! It’s a race so I’m presuming you’re going to give it 100% and aiming for as good a result as your able. 1st or second or 301st against 302st every position counts or why enter a race ??
Get as close to the front row as you can, get into a group down the beach, don’t do any work just hide, as you peel of the beach move forward and put in a spurt towards the sandy bank that takes you off the beach. This is the point were a bit of effort can save you minutes. Better to loose a few places getting a breather once your onto the trails rather than a couple of hundred by hanging back at the start and being stuck at every pinch point !! I’m not doing it this year but enjoy, its one of the U.K’s best cycling events 😀