Strategy in TDF

omri

Hi

I was wondering as I'm watching TDF. What's the strategy in this race. I've noticed very often whoever is infront just change with their mates from time to time. Some of the cyclist (prolly ones that are tired just go to back) and today it seems whole group goes slower.

That's my first tour that I'm watching so could use explanation what's going on there and why.

Thanks.

Caroline_ie

I was watching an old documentary the other day about this and one of the riders was saying at the time: There is a star in each team, and everyone is cycling to make him win, save him energy, and carry him to victory. If you do your job well, you can even try and win a stage and perhaps, next year, you will be one of the 'star'... Now people I am not saying this is what is happening now, but that's what this documentary was on about...

blorg

The key here is that cycling is (generally) a team sport and cyclists riding at the front of the peloton (or on their own) use far more energy than those drafting behind. Generally a team will have a leader and the role of the other team members will be to assist their leader for a win. Sometimes the leadership is contested or is only sorted out halfway through a race, depending on who is looking like they have the best chance.

While the teams are in competition with each other they also often have sections where they will work together for their own mutual advantage.

Some good links here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_bicycle_racing
http://www.funenclave.com/other-sports/tour-de-france-demystified-20151.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/6253890.stm
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~cathyg/writing/tdf_explained.html