DIVE BOMBERS 1KM 5KM

CAVENDISH: Contrary to belief, I might put myself at risk sometimes but I won’t put another rider at risk intentionally. It’s one thing putting yourself at risk; it’s another putting other riders at risk, [but] that’s become a bit of a problem now.

BENNETT: When you do enough sprints you start to see patterns, like who follows who. That’s why I don’t wear shades with a frame underneath, because I like to look underneath my arms. The last 5km… is when I have to be aware of what’s happening and be on the radio or screaming to the first guy to block the road. If you feel you’re on one side and you can feel a surge coming on the left and you have the front…we’d already be taking the whole peloton to the other side of the road. It’s not chopping them or aggressive, but we have control of the front and we can go where we like.

VIVIANI: Every [dive bomber] move inside the last 2-3km is because the speed of the group is not super high and someone tries to do that move. But if a proper lead-out is in front it’s not easy to do a move.

KITTEL: I consider [dive-bombing] part of the game and I don’t think people do it intentionally. They’re maybe nervous, they want to come to the front and maybe they do a crazy move sometimes. But there’s respect between the sprinters.

You start to see patterns, like who follows who. That’s why I don’t wear shades with a frame underneath, because I like to look under my arms