Slipstream, teamwork and the right pacing: The Vuelta a España shows how you can save a lot of energy even on your local loop with clever tactics and domestique duties.
The Vuelta a España is traditionally a race of extremes. Scorching heat in Andalusia, steep ramps and a constant battle for seconds shape the action. But away from pure muscle power, tactics are what decide victory and defeat in professional cycling. Anyone who follows the races closely quickly sees: Even the strongest riders are lost without the right support from their teams. These tactical subtleties can be perfectly transferred to your own training and group rides.
How important a well-coordinated team is was impressively demonstrated by the Visma - Lease a Bike squad. The young sprint newcomer Matthew Brennan celebrated sensational successes on his debut and even drew level with John Degenkolb with his fifth stage win on stage 17, as reported by the FAZ, among others. This success was no coincidence, but the result of perfect teamwork. On stage 16, none other than Wout van Aert put himself at the front as a super-domestique for Brennan to position him perfectly in the final. According to race reports from Radsport-News and Cyclingnews, van Aert launched the sprint around 300 metres before the finish line at enormous speed, allowing Brennan to take the victory almost effortlessly.
In addition, the 39-year-old veteran Steven Kruijswijk, who retrained as a flatland domestique in the late phase of his career, did valuable work in the wind all day long. For recreational cyclists, this shows: Riding in the slipstream saves up to 30 percent energy. When you are out with friends, you should take turns at the front regularly. An organised paceline, where everyone takes a turn in the wind and then slots back in at the rear, keeps the pace high and conserves the energy of everyone involved.
Sometimes teamwork also means putting your own ambitions on the back burner. Florian Lipowitz showed a strong performance at the Giro della Toscana after his severe collarbone fracture at the Tour de France. As reported by the FAZ, he did valuable front work for his teammate Giulio Pellizzari, who ultimately won the race. Lipowitz used the race fitness to get back into shape for upcoming tasks.
Kevin Vermaerke of UAE Team Emirates also showed extreme commitment. After his captain Tadej Pogačar had to end the season early following a heavy crash on stage 8 with collarbone and cervical vertebrae fractures as well as a concussion, the team was decimated. According to Velo by Outside, Vermaerke repeatedly went on the offensive and spent hundreds of kilometres in breakaway groups to save the day for his team. This shows: Even if the original plan fails, it is worth sticking with it and setting new goals.
The Vuelta also demands everything from the riders physically. Temperatures of over 32 degrees Celsius caused problems for many pros. Thibau Nys, for example, struggled with a fever and suffered extremely from the Andalusian heat, losing over half an hour on stage 16. However, his national coach Serge Pauwels emphasised to Radsport-News that in such situations you have to trust your own instincts and not panic.
For you, this means: Be sure to adapt your training to the external conditions. In extreme heat, sufficient hydration is a must. If your body signals that it can do no more, there is no shame in drastically reducing the pace or taking a break. Health always comes first.
Another highlight of the tour was the duel between overall leader Enric Mas and four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič. While Mas shone in the high mountains, Roglič was considered the significantly stronger time trialist. According to Velo by Outside, Roglič had already won 20 time trials in his career, whereas Mas had won none. A long individual time trial like the 32-kilometre one to Jerez de la Frontera requires absolute discipline in pacing.
In a time trial, you ride constantly at your own performance limit without overpacing. If you want to improve your endurance, incorporate targeted intervals into your solo rides. Try to maintain a constantly high pace that you can just about push through evenly over a set period of time (for example, 10 or 20 minutes). This trains your body awareness and your pacing toughness.
Your takeaway: On your next group ride, use targeted turns at the front to save energy, and always adapt your pace to your body awareness in the heat.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.