+1 for cornering. I'm a noob racer and the cornering skills of some of the others in the pack leave much to be desired. Don't be one of them. Be someone who can get away / around them.

Tactics and fitness play different roles in different kinds of races. You are probably strong enough to hang on to some road races, but it's strategy that will assist you the most in a crit. It is being in the wrong place at the wrong time there that will get you spit OTB more so than deficiencies in strength and speed.

Do group rides. See if you can attend some local "practice" races or race skills clinics.

And join a team if you can. Team tactics can help you out more than anything else in a race situation (so long as you are all of about the same fitness level and can work together).