In road cycling, the peloton refers to the main group of riders who move closely together during a cycling race. The term comes from French and literally means "small troop" or "platoon."

Function of the Peloton

The peloton's primary purpose is to conserve energy by riding in the slipstream . Riders within the group benefit from significantly reduced air resistance—up to 30% compared to riding solo. These physical advantages make the peloton a strategically central element in cycling.

Dynamics and tactics

The movement of the peloton is by no means chaotic:

• Strong teams try to control the pace.

• Race-deciding attacks (e.g. during mountain stages or shortly before the finish) often arise from the peloton.

• Breakaway groups try to break away from the peloton early on, but are often caught again later (“brought back into the field”).

• Wind edges , crashes or battles for position can tear the peloton apart and cause racing drama.

Dangers and challenges

• High density : Driving in close quarters poses a high risk of mass crashes , especially in the case of sudden changes in speed or inattentive driving.

• Concentration and technique : Riding in the peloton requires experience, good cycling skills, and constant attention.

Role in stage races

In stage races like the Tour de France, the peloton plays a central role:

• It determines the racing pace .

• Individual riders or groups can break away – the distance to the peloton (measured in time) is decisive for the overall ranking.

• The peloton often waits for prominent riders after crashes or defects – this is where the sporting code of honor comes into play.

Term in common usage

Even outside of professional cycling, “peloton” is often used to describe a larger group of racing cyclists on joint rides – for example in amateur races , Gran Fondos or training rides .