Chapman, who rides for UAE Team L’IMAD, observed the Tour de France Femmes from her couch after missing the race due to a DNS on stage 2.
Inside the Reconnaissance and Strategy for Mont Ventoux
The riders completed multiple ascents over two days to understand the heat, steep corners, and windy, exposed sections of the climb.
During the stage, UAE teammates Elisa Longo Borghini and Paula Blasi ignored early attacks from Demi Vollering, choosing instead to ride just shy of their limit for 11 kilometers. According to Chapman, this steady pacing preserved essential energy. Paula Blasi’s final pull in the closing kilometers launched Elisa Longo Borghini into a strong finish, securing third place on the stage, while Blasi finished fifth in her maiden Tour de France Femmes appearance and Polish national champion Dominika Wlodarczyk took eighth.
The Vital Role of Domestiques in the Women’s Peloton
According to Chapman, domestiques perform heavy tactical labor from kilometer one, dropping back to the convoy, carrying up to six kilograms of bidons and ice in their jerseys, and positioning team leaders through technical sections to prevent crashes.
Working for the team also involves executing specific tactical roles, such as making the race hard or going deep into a final alongside leaders, rather than just collecting water bottles. Chapman pointed out that riders like Silvia Pérsico and Mavi Garcia stepped up to cover multiple roles following injuries and absences within the squad.
Pro Tip: Understanding Cycling Pacing Strategies
FAQ Section
Why did Brodie Chapman miss the Tour de France Femmes?
According to Chapman, she suffered a fractured pelvis after crashing hard during the Tour of Flanders in April, followed by an illness that forced her to take a DNS on stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes.
How did UAE Team L’IMAD approach the Mont Ventoux stage?
According to Chapman, the team followed a strict pacing strategy, with Elisa Longo Borghini and Paula Blasi riding just shy of their limits for 11 kilometers instead of reacting to early attacks from rivals.
What do domestiques do during a grand tour stage?
According to Chapman, domestiques take the wind, retrieve bidons and ice from the team car, protect leaders from crashes in technical sections, and maintain a relentless pace before the major climbs.
Did you know?
Call-to-Action
What are your thoughts on team tactics in modern cycling? Leave a comment below, explore our latest race analysis articles, and subscribe to our newsletter for daily updates from the peloton.