Teammates on climbs?
07-27-18, 11:12 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Teammates on climbs?
I guess this might be a dumb question.., but it's something i've wondered about...
Why, on the steep climbs, is it so important for GC contenders to have teammates leading them?
Do they really go fast enough up those climbs that drafting makes a difference?
Why, on the steep climbs, is it so important for GC contenders to have teammates leading them?
Do they really go fast enough up those climbs that drafting makes a difference?
07-27-18, 11:29 AM
#2
Senior Member
Yes. Up some climbs they can be going 18-20 mph.
If if he has a mechanical it’s nice to have a teammate give you a wheel or his bike.
Its nice to have a teammate help chase down breaks so you don’t have to.
Its nice having someone next to you that has a common goal.
Its nice to have someone carry your bottles and food.
If the GC leader is by himself with 3-4 other contenders, they will attack mercilessly and guess who has to chase them. The leader does. They will collude and launch attack after attack until he breaks.
If if he has a mechanical it’s nice to have a teammate give you a wheel or his bike.
Its nice to have a teammate help chase down breaks so you don’t have to.
Its nice having someone next to you that has a common goal.
Its nice to have someone carry your bottles and food.
If the GC leader is by himself with 3-4 other contenders, they will attack mercilessly and guess who has to chase them. The leader does. They will collude and launch attack after attack until he breaks.
07-28-18, 08:39 AM
#3
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A lot of it is psychological. There is some draft on the shallower climbs, but not a lot as the climbs get tougher. However, when there is someone ahead of you, you don;t have to think .... you just follow the wheel. You never have to consider if you need to push harder or ease up and conserve .... you stay focused on following the wheel, and waste no thoughts on doubting or planning. Also, you never have to wonder if you can do it when an attack comes, as brianmcg123 notes---the lieutenant responds without thinking, and the leader comes across at a more comfortable pace.
Kniowing you have cover and support keeps the rider focvused and unworried .... and when the leader is exhausted, all he has to do is follow that wheel no matter what.
The lieutenant also has it easier---he doesn't have to conserve energy, and when an attack comes, he doesn't need to wonder if he should let it go .... he doesn't have to finish the stage in good shape, he cam walk it home after he cracks (Michal Kwiatkowski shows that.) So the lieutenant can go all out, and the leader can take it easy .... and when the lieutenant finally cracks, the leader is mentally fresher ... and also, now knows that he can go all out, because the trial attacks and the half-hearted attacks and the l=desperation last-gasp attacks from the other GC contenders who are almost spent, have all be deflected already.
Kniowing you have cover and support keeps the rider focvused and unworried .... and when the leader is exhausted, all he has to do is follow that wheel no matter what.
The lieutenant also has it easier---he doesn't have to conserve energy, and when an attack comes, he doesn't need to wonder if he should let it go .... he doesn't have to finish the stage in good shape, he cam walk it home after he cracks (Michal Kwiatkowski shows that.) So the lieutenant can go all out, and the leader can take it easy .... and when the lieutenant finally cracks, the leader is mentally fresher ... and also, now knows that he can go all out, because the trial attacks and the half-hearted attacks and the l=desperation last-gasp attacks from the other GC contenders who are almost spent, have all be deflected already.
