| Purists in the cycling world will tell you that road cycling | | | | Typically a pro cycling team will consist of a team |
| is the classic and arguably most beautiful manifestation | | | | leader, a team captain and several domestiques, |
| of cycle sport. Professional cycling is perhaps most | | | | otherwise known as team workers. Depending on the |
| famously associated with the Tour de France, a three | | | | race, there may be one or two team leaders, a strong |
| week bicycle race around France, covering roughly | | | | sprinter for flat races, or a strong climber for the |
| 3,500 km over 21 days. The race was born in 1903 | | | | tougher terrain. In essence the team leader is the rider |
| and has been run every year since, excepting for a | | | | within the team who is most likely to win the race. The |
| four year gap caused by the instabilities of the First | | | | team captain will generally be the most wily or |
| World War and a seven year sabbatical prompted by | | | | tactically experienced rider; it is his job to coordinate |
| the Second World War. | | | | the team so as to set up the best possible tactical |
| Recently Lance Armstrong has elevated the level of | | | | position from which the team leader can succeed in his |
| exposure enjoyed by cycle sport, especially in the | | | | duty of winning. The domestiques play a vital role in |
| English speaking world, through his heroic fight against | | | | supporting the team leader. They do this by sheltering |
| testicular cancer and his record seven consecutive | | | | the leader from prevailing winds and getting food and |
| victories in the Tour de France. To put this into | | | | drinks from the team's backup vehicle. |
| perspective, one should remember that only five men | | | | Battlefields of Cycle Sport |
| before Armstrong have managed to win as many as | | | | Pro cycling teams compete on the Pro Tour, which |
| five Tours, never mind seven. And the Spaniard Miguel | | | | includes the three week long tours of France, Italy |
| Indurain was the only one of these riders to manage | | | | (Giro de Italia) and Spain (Vuelta a España), as |
| five in a row. | | | | well as famous single day races, otherwise known as |
| Cycling Teams | | | | the "classics". Some of these single day races, ranging |
| To be cycling in the Tour de France is to be | | | | from 250 km to over 300km, reward top finishers with |
| competing at the pinnacle of professional cycling, and it | | | | points for the World Cup. This competition awards a |
| is only the most talented and dedicated athletes which | | | | special jersey to the most consistent cyclist at the end |
| make the cut into professional cycling teams. Each of | | | | of the season. |
| these professional cycling teams is managed by a | | | | The world championships, normally held late in the |
| cycling manager who coordinates the riders' race | | | | season, serves as an international competition |
| calendar and publicity appearances. The director | | | | between national teams from around the world. The |
| sportif is another major player within the team setup | | | | winner of this prestigious single day race is awarded |
| and it is this individual's job to direct the tactical assault | | | | with what has come to be known as "the rainbow |
| launched upon a race by his team leader and | | | | jersey." This white cycling jersey with a rainbow band |
| supporting riders. Tactics play a massive role in | | | | around the chest and sleeves is worn by the victor at |
| determining the victor when it comes to road cycling, | | | | every road race he rides for the next year. As such |
| therefore the more cohesive an approach taken by | | | | his team and sponsors receive much valued publicity |
| the team, the better the race results will be for the | | | | as soon as the rider takes his position on the start line. |
| team and the sponsors. | | | | |