LEADOUTS, By Chris Huber, From Bicycle Guide Several years ago, former 7-Eleven pro Bob Roll and I were giving a talk to a collegiate cycling team. Bob made the analogy that a criterium was like "shaking popcorn around in a pan and someone pops out a winner." To the uneducated spectator, that is a fairly accurate description. But what really happens is called a leadout, a very coordinated team effort designed to get the designated sprinter within striking distance of the line, hopefully without ever putting his nose in the wind or getting swarmed by other riders. Through my years of racing, I traded leadouts with many teammates. At larger professional races there was a more structured program. Len Pettyjon, who managed the Coors Light team I rode with for six years, expected us to get it right and win almost every time out. We would assemble a "train" within the last few laps of a criterium or last couple of miles of a road race. The train would start with our "strongmen"; they would hit the wind and string the peloton into a single-file line, making it difficult for any other team to move up on us. As it came down to the final kilometers, my teammate Ron Kiefel and I were given the final leadout duties. When we hit the front, it was our job to go so fast the other sprinters couldn't even come out in the wind until our sprinters were ready to start their sprints. Done properly, the race was over with two laps to go! Sometimes we could force another team into giving our sprinters a leadout. Ron and I would sense a lull as teams were beginning to set up for the sprint. One of us would attack with full afterburners and our sprinters would simply follow the other teams as they chased us. Ideally, we stayed clear for the win and our sprinters rounded out the podium spots! Often a leadout can be subtle. In the last laps, when rival teams are tentatively waiting to see who will start the leadout, it can be almost easy to hit the front of the pack at a tempo below maximum effort. Good leadout riders can sense when the pace begins to heat up in the pack and increase the tempo to flat-out just before they are swarmed. This ability comes with experience, but it allows one good leadout rider to do the work of two or three. The final leadout rider wants to time his effort so his speed is highest just before the sprinters begin their final charge for the line. Leadout skills have many applications within bike racing. Sometimes your team misses a breakaway and it is critical for you to get a rider across to it. One or more teammates may have to sacrifice themselves, riding all out till they blow up while drafting your sprinters to the line. If you are the sprinter, or person to be led out, you have taken the responsibility of winning the race. Sit tightly on your leadout rider and be aware of the chaos around you. Communication is vital-if your rider needs to go faster, let him know! As you get ready to begin your sprint, back off his wheel slightly and run up into the draft. As you begin to come by, this will increase your acceleration and, ultimately, the top speed you reach in the sprint. The physical skills required to do a successful leadout are strong anaerobic power, good leg speed and good cornering skills. Having these abilities will keep you in the front once you get there. It's not enough to understand the tactics-developing speed and physical power is the only way to keep a rival team from driving their train right by yours. Do it right, and you will be unbeatable! Chris Huber was an alternate to the 1984 Olympic team in the team pursuit and turned pro and raced for Schwinn/Icy Hot and Coors Light, during which time he won the professional pursuit title and scored numerous victories on the road. He also held the record for the fastest human-powered vehicle at 68.73 mph. Return to Coaching Classics