Ok, I have played today a one stage race, there was a strong wind and the peloton was very long. When it was 90 km to go I have send one of my rider to carry water to the others, but always there was a break in the peloton, so the water icon disappears, so no water to the others. When I tried to bring bottles, when there was a break, and my riders were in the first group then my domestique always wanted to go back to the second group (1 min was between them). And because of this I wasn't able to give water to my leaders. What can I do in this situation? I can't send back all my riders, because what is if there is going to be a break what never comes together again, then my race is over.
Edited by GAM3R on 22-07-2010 19:47
You have to be very careful in these situations, usually if you start seeing the peloton lengthen or the wind is about to break it up, keep your riders together at the front and try and wait it out until either it breaks or gets a little more compacted. Also usually i will turn my water carrier up to 99 effort when i send him back, he will use up more energy but will tend to get the job done quicker and prevent a mishap.
Also if you find your leader and helper alone and you need water but do not want to risk getting dropped or losing time, you can always do a 2 second attack grab some water then recover while the group catches you. Its not very realistic but it is a safe bet.
Usually the most difficult water areas will be on the hills/mountains, and in these situations i will usually use my 3rd best rider with a protector to drop back and grab the water and bring it back to my leader and backup leader. Usually the 3rd guy is good enough not to get dropped and he will usually recover his energy quickly even in a tough mountain chase, although usually at the sacrifice of a rider who was protecting him.
There are many strategies though to getting water, just have to plan it out a bit. The best way in most part is 10-12km from the start of a mountain, and downhill. Although on windy flats, its a lot about luck or waiting.
