A well-drilled leadout train is one of the most impressive sights in professional cycling. The team lines up single file with 2-5km to go, each rider taking a turn at the front at increasing speed before swinging off exhausted. The final rider — the leadout man — hits 65-70 km/h before pulling aside to leave the sprinter in perfect position for the final kick. Teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck have refined this to an art form. The timing is extraordinary: too early and the sprinter fades; too late and they're boxed in. It requires trust, rehearsal, and an intimate understanding of your sprinter's acceleration characteristics. In amateur racing, even a two-rider leadout is a significant tactical advantage.
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