Racing Strategy

By Jason Sumner

Like a high-speed game of chess, road bike racing is a tactical battle where strategy, timing and sheer guile combine to determine winners and losers. At the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling, teams of eight will match wits, will and skill, with each rider serving unique roles that bear some resemblance to the line-up of a football team.

In flatter-profile races, where the finish typically comes down to a mass gallop to the line, designated sprinters will spend the bulk of their day sheltered in the draft of teammates, saving energy for the final furious dash to the finish.

When drafting, the protected rider expends 30-40 percent less energy to go the same speed as the unprotected rider. This sprinter-worker relationship is similar to a running back waiting behind his blockers, then charging ahead in search of the goal line.

These aforementioned team workers are better known as domestiques, and like their offensive lineman counterparts in football, their job is one of the least glamorous yet most important in the sport. In some races domestiques will expend maximum energy during the first half of a race, then have to drop out because they are so exhausted. Meanwhile, if all goes according to plan, their team leader will win the race, and then be showered in adulation and attention from fans and the media.

And why would one rider sacrifice his own chance of victory for a teammate? Simple: In cycling’s professional ranks, glory is often sacrificed in the name of financial gain. A rider’s salary is largely based on total prize money earned by the team. This prize money is divided so all team members are rewarded for their efforts, regardless of where they finished.

In order to assure that the team leader -- or sometimes leaders -- are as rested as possible for the crucial money-winning moment, the team’s domestiques will work for them. This work can take a variety of forms: drifting back to the team support car to fetch fresh water bottles, food or clothing; going in early breakaways so other teams must expend vital energy chasing; riding a fast pace at the front of the field so no breakaways can form; chasing breakaways that do not benefit team strategy; and generally keeping the team leader safe, well fueled and out of the wind.

If a team’s goal is a field sprint, the domestiques may attempt to “lead out” the designated sprinter, with several riders forming a lead-out train where the last domestique pulls off just in time for the leader to unleash his final sprint to the line. This typically happens within a race’s last 300 meters. Of course several teams may try this same tactic, but only one or two can actually control the sprint, and sometimes no one is in control, meaning it’s mano-o-mano.

In races involving major ascents, climbers are usually the protected riders, sitting safely in the pack until it’s time to dart away up the race-deciding climb. On these uphill sections, where speeds are much slower, drafting’s usefulness is reduced, meaning it’s literally every man for himself.

In either race scenario -- flat or hilly -- riders and their team directors (think head coach) are familiar with their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Typically before a race the team director will sit down with his riders to decide which of them will be the protected leader or leaders of the team. Usually the chosen ones are those most likely to do well because they are the strongest, healthiest, most experienced, or who possess skills that specifically suit a particular race course.

During competition the team director usually drives the lead team support car, which along with various official, medical and neutral support cars, follow behind the race in what’s known as the caravan. From his seat in the lead car, the team director directs riders via two-way radios, which riders tuck into their jersey’s pocket save for a small earpiece and microphone.

Inside the team car, you’ll also find a team mechanic and an array of food, clothing, re-hydration drinks, spare parts, spare wheels and tools. On top of the car are usually at least four or five spare bikes.

The front passenger seat of the team car is usually reserved for VIPs and sometimes members of the media, as it’s a privileged upfront view akin to watching a football game from the sideline while standing next to the head coach.

Once racing commences, lead riders attempt to save their energy until a predetermined time when they make their move for victory. Depending on the course and the team's strengths, this move may come at the end of a race in a field sprint, at the base of a brutal ascent, or in a breakaway attempt, where a smaller group of riders escapes the main group (aka the peloton) and tries to hold its advantage all the way to the finish.

Each team will develop its own strategy based on the race course, its riders’ specific strengths and weakness, the competition’s strengths and weaknesses, pre-race goals, and events during the race.

As you can see, cycling is an intriguing – and often complicated -- multi-dimensional team sport. But with a little insight, it’s an extremely fascinating affair that combines equal parts skill, endurance, tactics and of course a little luck.