Let's talk team racing tactics

[Manonabike]

OK, thanks ever so much to the last 3 posters. Monsieur Remings that was really useful and clarifies quite a few things for me....... The other day while watching a race I was trying to think marathon running tactics in an effort to understand bike racing

Rich P, I thought the savings of energy would be minimum perhaps under 5% but now that you say as much as 25% that makes a huge difference to my understanding of bringing sprinters to the front and the peloton works.

Maybe I had this idea of a minimum saving due to have ridden behind a friend for a few miles and still found it very hard indeed, there was a massive headwind though. Having said that, now that I am much fitter than then..... I experienced something quite peculiar the other day I was doing the same route and also with quite a strong headwind and yet this guy, who I never seen before in my life lol, was right behind me rear wheel and whenever I moved to the other side he moved with me lol - I knew he was using me as a shield but I could have never imagined that he could be making such a big saving in energy.... I should have charged him for the service

Globalti, I will try to get hold of that book "The Scape Artist" Thanks for that.

 

[monnet]

Another thing - if two riders are battling it out at the front and one experiences a mechanical problem (say his chain falls off) then the other rider will observe the unwritten etiquette and wait for him to catch up.

Ah yes, I remember that rule well. Isn't the unwritten rule that after the chain has slipped a 37 second gap is regarded as being as good as waiting?

Or maybe not...

 

[Will1985]

A team of 9 usually consists of a team leader, a sprinter as alluded to, and 6 to 7 domestiques.

Very few races allow teams to have 9 riders - the Grands Tours are the most obvious, and this is in part due to the length and varied terrain of the race. Many pro tour events have 8 riders while lower level events might have 6 or 7.

 

[meenaghman]

You will also notice that teams try and place a man on their sprinters wheel. This is to stop another rider tracking him, and also to help create a break..when the sprinters goes..his team mate doesn't creating a gap. Also in the peleton it gives some protection..while also its supposed to help airflow..so in a break of two riders..while the guy in front is doing more work..by having the guy on the back following closely can help reduce drag due to turbulence..saving approx 5percent effort for the front guy.

 

[palinurus]

Rich P, I thought the savings of energy would be minimum perhaps under 5% but now that you say as much as 25% that makes a huge difference to my understanding of bringing sprinters to the front and the peloton works.

Try it sometime, even riding behind a single rider into a fairly light breeze you should feel the benefit. In a large group the benefit is greater.