Teamwork!

Teamwork:  Have a Plan AND Be Flexible

Working as a team in cycling can be a difficult thing to do. We are always in awe at the precision and pure grit that riders from Grand Tours demonstrate to deliver their leader to the line, to the bottom of a climb or through a technical part of the course. The domestiques of pro teams are often hired for a specific purpose, whether it be for team time trials, hill climbs or as a member of the sprinter’s leadout train. As local club teams, we are not paid (well, if you are, let us know!) for specific strengths or skills.  Therefore we all need to optimize the collective skills and talents that everyone on the team brings to the table.

Have a Plan…

This is easier said than done, but every team should go into a race with specific objectives based on individual riders’ fitness levels. That could be to get certain riders into promising breakaways, keep the pack together for a sprint finish, or help a teammate defend GC – i.e. overall leadership of an omnium or stage race. With input from all teammates, come up with a set plan that will accomplish your goal(s). Factor in variables, but do everything you can to stick with the plan as it should leverage your strengths. 

…Yet Be Prepared to Make Changes

Plans change because circumstances change. Survival of the fittest is often about the ability to adapt. Perhaps one of the major contenders just got themselves into the key breakaway but none of your teammates did. Now your squad must chase, though you had hoped it would come down to a bunch sprint. Or perhaps your team leader flatted and is no longer in contention. When circumstances change, you should immediately consider what is now the best thing to do as a squad then communicate that as best you can to your teammates. If you can’t get to them, you may need to take the initiative, such as chasing down a break, moving to the front to cover moves or getting a teammate up to the front in the final laps to contend the sprint.

Get Ready for the Finish

If you are in a position to help your teammate(s), you should do everything you can to make a difference – it could be the decisive factor in a high speed finish. Being a team means that there’s power in numbers.  Join the rest of your teammates for the final push to the finish. Do everything you can to help, even if it’s only a little bit. In the end, every little bit helps.  Any energy saved is something you’ve chosen to withhold from the team and its overall success.

Behind Every Successful Team

As we gear up to watch the Giro & Tour of California, we look forward to the great acts of generosity and sacrifice of some of the world’s best domestiques. They will put everything on the line for their team leaders. Watching domestiques execute their duties with absolute precision can be as fun as watching our favorite champions win.

Keep your head up and RACE SMART!

Cameron Hoffman

Three-time LOTOJA winner, two-time State Criterium Champion and TRAIN SMART coach

Mark Deterline
Cycling Journalist & super-domestique on Wells Fargo Racing Team