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@andyp
Be attentive and aware of where you are in the bunch. Everyone will tell you to stay close to the front but this is harder to achieve than you'd imagine, so you should be always looking to move forward whilst trying to avoid going on the front.
Don't make any sudden, unpredictable movements and try and hold your line on every corner.
Your goal for your first race should be to avoid being dropped as long as possible, with finishing being a bonus. If you do get dropped try and get back on as quickly as possible, as the longer you leave it the less chance you'll have of success.
If you do get dropped then don't beat yourself up about it. The intensity and frequency of efforts required are hard to replicate in training so many, many riders find their first road race exceptionally hard, even though, in fitness terms, they are probably fit enough. If you can, try and put together a regular sequence, i.e. every week, of races as the cumulative efforts will soon mean you're fit enough to finish races.
And best of luck! Remember it's meant to be fun.