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