Roles
Get it Right . . . Make a Difference
Knowing Roles will be a cirque du vélos
Tactical Advantage
Knowing your roles and corresponding responsibilities is relevant in rides and races at our level . . . not often seen in competitive events because most riders are simply riding for themselves and/or just trying to hang on.
~Roles and Responsibilities~
These May Change for you from Event to Event
Attacker
Domestique
Finisher
Attackers collect near but not in the front. Defensively, Attackers are on the lookout for attacks from other riders/teams and cover/chase them as appropriate; they bridge or cross to riders who have broken away. Offensively, Attackers look for opportunities to attack or breakaway from a slow moving peleton or at opportune times (i.e. hills, corners, etc.). Attackers are responsible for “stressing” the peleton throughout the event. Attackers must know and use the rules of pacelines to be effective.
Domestiques collect near the front and sometimes are in the front leading and controlling the peleton. Defensively, Domestiques run interference, surround and protect our designated Finisher(s); they move up and otherwise position our Finisher(s) to the right position in the peleton. Offensively, Domestiques look for opportunities to best position our Finishers; they may initiate a paceline during an event to set tempo or string out the peleton with the Finisher(s) resting in a Gatekeeper position in the back of the paceline; they collect and initiate a leadout train at the right time and tow the Finisher(s) to the targeted tactical event/finish.
Finishers exercise patience, rest and stay protected by Domestiques and win the designated event.