F
Frank Burke
Guest
I'm sure this has been discussed before, and would be happy to be directed to an appropriate source.
The FAQ does not address it. Here's the question. In bike racing, what, other than drafting, is the
advantage of having teammates with a lead group on a mountain stage. I have watched or read the
coverage of the TdF, Giro, Vuelta, etc. , and the commentators make a big deal about the leader
being supported by teammates. They talk about one or two riders "doing all the work" for the leader,
but obviously the leader is ascending at the same speed, so physics dictates that, except for
drafting, they are doing the same work. Is drafting an significant factor on the big climbs? If
drafting is the issue, all the other riders in the group are getting the same advantage as the team
leader, so the "work" being done by the domestiques would seem to benefit the competition as well.
The FAQ does not address it. Here's the question. In bike racing, what, other than drafting, is the
advantage of having teammates with a lead group on a mountain stage. I have watched or read the
coverage of the TdF, Giro, Vuelta, etc. , and the commentators make a big deal about the leader
being supported by teammates. They talk about one or two riders "doing all the work" for the leader,
but obviously the leader is ascending at the same speed, so physics dictates that, except for
drafting, they are doing the same work. Is drafting an significant factor on the big climbs? If
drafting is the issue, all the other riders in the group are getting the same advantage as the team
leader, so the "work" being done by the domestiques would seem to benefit the competition as well.