PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling

PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling: "Toolbox: Making the Winning Break
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:37:05 AM PT

by Bruce Hendler

There are many ways to win a bike race, but many times it requires a rider to get in the winning break. We all know a racer that always seems to find that elusive winning move. Time and again they end up in the one break that seems to succeed. Is it dumb luck or a calculating, competitive individual?

Bike racing season is getting close or already in full swing in some parts of the country (Bruce obviously does not live in eastern Canada and is forgetting his Midwest roots! - Toolbox Ed), so it's good to tune up your tactics in addition to your physiology. Having a team that can haul in breakaways and lead things out for a sprinter is fine if you're Ale-Jet and can hire a team of specialized leadout riders. But the other way to win is to take matters into your own hands and make or get into the winning break.

We've seen this to perfection this past week in California by hardman extraordinaire Jens Voigt of CSC, driving the day-long break on Stage 4, hopping onto the Leipheimer Express, then toasting all in the sprint. The recently retired Erik Dekker of Rabobank and his buddy Michael Boogerd are also masters of always being there, and Frank Schleck of CSC is padding his resume too (Amstel"