Why is the team so important in the Tour de France?
October 19, 2009
I’ve always wondered why the team is so important in Tour de France. For example, in today’s stage, Contador was in the leading group with the two Schleck Brothers. The commentators said that Contador would have been better off if he had his teammate riding in the same group. Why would this make any difference?
If Contador had 2 or 3 team mates he could have broken away from the Schleck brothers and put more time between his team and the brothers. The guy leading the pack is doing most of the work and it helps to be able to switch off and rest behind the leader. He played it smart and stayed with them and never took the lead. He just let them do all the work and was hoping the team would catch up with him. He did not want to help them put more distance between him and the team.
The guys ridding behind the leader can use 30% less energy to go the same speed. It’s like drafting in NASCAR the guy in back uses a lot less gas.
Team mates can protect you from the wind and other riders. When they ride in front of you you don’t have to work as hard. Teams can also speed up or slow down the pace of the whole group.
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If Contador had 2 or 3 team mates he could have broken away from the Schleck brothers and put more time between his team and the brothers. The guy leading the pack is doing most of the work and it helps to be able to switch off and rest behind the leader. He played it smart and stayed with them and never took the lead. He just let them do all the work and was hoping the team would catch up with him. He did not want to help them put more distance between him and the team.
The guys ridding behind the leader can use 30% less energy to go the same speed. It’s like drafting in NASCAR the guy in back uses a lot less gas.
References :
To help the sprinter get to the last 5 miles contador wouldn’t be in his spot without kloden horner and lance. The same for schlek and Saxo bank. Team placment is also important. That’s why Marc cavendish and Thor hushad are so important. They help the team leader but they are there to win stages to help the teams placement. Yellow isn’t the only important jersey green and polka dot and white are to
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