LEAD OUT 250M 1KM

CAVENDISH: Before, you’d just have one guy to pilot fish you. That’s where the lead-out train comes from. In 2007, 2008, I was winning nine out of every 10 sprints I did. I just thought, if I get a lead-out I can win 10 out of 10 sprints. We just did it and it guaranteed the wins.

KITTEL: The days of the big lead-out ended in 2013-14. When I think about the Tour in those years my team always had a battle with Lotto Soudal, and more sprinters were coming with strong teams.

BENNETT: If there are not so many of the top guys at the race, you’re going to have to do more of a lead-out, because otherwise you’ll just get swamped. So many people want trains. I almost think there are too many and you have to go it alone.

VIVIANI: The best position is always when your lead-out goes with 1km to go and you have two guys and you know they will bring you to 200m to go. If you are not with the lead-out boys, the main position is to be on the wheel of the sprinter who has a lead-out. You need to understand who is organised.

GREIPEL: It’s not like there’s a full lead-out any more. A road only has a certain amount of space. It comes down to the last two riders in the front of the sprinter doing the correct thing. Now, a lot of teams try to make a perfect lead-out so it’s like dragster racing. To win you must be flying but it’s difficult because a lot of other teams are putting a lot of emphasis and attention on a lead-out.