I think plan builder used to put openers on your calendar the day before a race. Now they are optional and not automatically put on. Has there been a change in perspective on the utility of these workouts?
What have people been personally experiencing on the effectiveness of these?
Crucial for me. If I do a rest day before a big effort, my legs don’t feel awake.
I use Truuli-1 before most open TT to freshen the legs - club races or any others I’m not to fussed about I just train through.
I have never done them in the past but I might try some this year; just going on experience I seem to do better with a decent opener of sorts. My best FTP tests came after cycle commuting and similarly I seem to go less well sometimes when I do nothing the day before 
Well I got second place in my race yesterday… I think I’ll keep doing openers (Pahrah).
Thank you for your replies!
It is individual but openers are must have for me… If I don’t do some efforts a day before my legs are so heavy and RPE is much higher…
I did Pahrah on Saturday before a race on Sunday - I also came second, so would also recommend it!
Rest day two days before.
Openers day before
Race.
Did Goddard -5 the day before a race and strained a calf. Not enough warm up before the intensity in that workout. A stupid design really.