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CyclingWho are the domestiques? The unsung heroes of the Tour de France
You might not know their names, but these are the riders who make champions out of Tour de France riders like Chris Froome and Alberto Contador. ‘Domestiques’ have one job – sacrifice everything for their team leader. But who are these unsung heroes toiling away in the shadows?
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In praise of cycling's domestiques
Image credit: Eurosport
Geraint Thomas / Sky
Leader: Chris Froome
Who is he?
Track cyclist, climber, classics rider – at 29, the Welshman is one of the most versatile riders in the peloton. He met Chris Froome when the pair raced at Barloworld, and both joined Team Sky in 2010.
Track cyclist, climber, classics rider – at 29, the Welshman is one of the most versatile riders in the peloton. He met Chris Froome when the pair raced at Barloworld, and both joined Team Sky in 2010.
What is his role?Thomas’s versatility lets him help Froome in any situation. He leads the train if there is a fall or a puncture, or takes on the mountains where his performance continues to improve. He is the ultimate comfort blanket for Froome and Sky.
Highlight
Thomas has two Olympic gold medals to his name, but his road racing highlight came in 2013 when he helped Froome to Tour de France success despite riding most of the race in severe pain thanks to a pelvic fracture.
Thomas has two Olympic gold medals to his name, but his road racing highlight came in 2013 when he helped Froome to Tour de France success despite riding most of the race in severe pain thanks to a pelvic fracture.
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Geraint Thomas rode on through injury in 2013
Image credit: Reuters
Mark Renshaw / Etixx-Quick Step
Leader: Mark Cavendish
Who is he?
During a decade in the peloton, Renshaw has made his name as the best lead-out man in cycling enabling Mark Cavendish to win the third most Tour de France stages of any rider. Renshaw powered Cavendish to total sprint dominance from 2009-2011 and the pair are now reunited at Etixx-Quick Step.
During a decade in the peloton, Renshaw has made his name as the best lead-out man in cycling enabling Mark Cavendish to win the third most Tour de France stages of any rider. Renshaw powered Cavendish to total sprint dominance from 2009-2011 and the pair are now reunited at Etixx-Quick Step.
His roleRenshaw’s job is to help Cavendish win mass sprints. The big Australian uses all his guile and physicality to blaze a trail through the peloton, putting Cavendish in the perfect position to surge to victory.
Highlight
Tour de France 2009, Champs-Elysees. Renshaw led Cavendish to one of the most destructive wins in Tour history, leaving the peloton totally for dead on the Parisian streets as Cav and Renshaw completed a one-two. It was Cavendish’s sixth stage win that year, and the high point of the Briton’s sprint dominance.
Tour de France 2009, Champs-Elysees. Renshaw led Cavendish to one of the most destructive wins in Tour history, leaving the peloton totally for dead on the Parisian streets as Cav and Renshaw completed a one-two. It was Cavendish’s sixth stage win that year, and the high point of the Briton’s sprint dominance.
Daniel Moreno / Katusha
Leader: Joaquim Rodriguez
Who is he?
At nearly 34, Moreno has hit his prime late in his career. The Spanish climber is a team-mate who has the ability to surpass his leader on the mountains. He arrived at Katusha in 2011.
At nearly 34, Moreno has hit his prime late in his career. The Spanish climber is a team-mate who has the ability to surpass his leader on the mountains. He arrived at Katusha in 2011.
What is his role?
Moreno’s style, modelled on that of his team leader Rodriguez, makes him one half of cycling’s most dynamic duo. Moreno stays with his partner until the last moment, keeping Rodriguez fresh for that final push.
Moreno’s style, modelled on that of his team leader Rodriguez, makes him one half of cycling’s most dynamic duo. Moreno stays with his partner until the last moment, keeping Rodriguez fresh for that final push.
Highlights
Moreno’s selfless work allowed Rodriguez to mount the podium at three grand tours – Giro 2012, Vuelta 2012 and Tour de France 2013.
Moreno’s selfless work allowed Rodriguez to mount the podium at three grand tours – Giro 2012, Vuelta 2012 and Tour de France 2013.
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Michael Rogers punches the air
Image credit: Reuters
Michael Rogers - Tinkoff-Saxo
Leader: Alberto Contador
Who is he?
An all-round rider who could have competed for titles in his own right. Rogers is a triple world time trial champion (2003-2005) who has won Grand Tour stages, but injuries and illness mean he remains a super domestique. He was a key lieutenant for Bradley Wiggins at the 2012 Tour de France.
An all-round rider who could have competed for titles in his own right. Rogers is a triple world time trial champion (2003-2005) who has won Grand Tour stages, but injuries and illness mean he remains a super domestique. He was a key lieutenant for Bradley Wiggins at the 2012 Tour de France.
What is his role?
Contador’s bodyguard, shepherding him up the mountains and staying close on the flat. Known as the ‘capitaine de route’, managing the team on the road and ensuring everyone works for the common good.
Highlight
The Australian is not far off a complete rider. Last year he won the longest stages of the Tour de France (237.5km) and the Giro d’Italia (249km) – and he also triumphed at Monte Zoncolan, the Giro’s final big mountain stage.
Steve Morabito / FDJ
Leader: Thibaut Pinot
Who is he?The 32-year-old Swiss rider is universally popular, as much for his human qualities as his sporting ones. He excels in the mountains, where he has accompanied a host of big names including Andreas Kloden, Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans.
What is his role?
Steve Morabito is the engine of the FDJ team – he sets the tempo on climbs, and on the flat he shadows his leader dutifully. He is a superb team-mate who develops great relationships.
Steve Morabito is the engine of the FDJ team – he sets the tempo on climbs, and on the flat he shadows his leader dutifully. He is a superb team-mate who develops great relationships.
Highlight
Morabito’s consistency allowed Evans to take his one and only Tour de France success in 2011, fighting off the challenge of the Schleck brothers.
Morabito’s consistency allowed Evans to take his one and only Tour de France success in 2011, fighting off the challenge of the Schleck brothers.
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Gregory Rast (l) tackles the cobbles
Image credit: Eurosport
Gregory Rast – Trek Factory Racing
Leader: Bauke Mollema
Who is he?
The 35-year-old Rast has spent a decade in the peloton. He rode with Alberto Contador from 2007-2009, and has been at Trek Factory Racing since 2014.
The 35-year-old Rast has spent a decade in the peloton. He rode with Alberto Contador from 2007-2009, and has been at Trek Factory Racing since 2014.
What is his role?
Right-hand man of his countryman Fabian Cancellara. The time trial specialist’s retirement from the race means he will now work for Bauke Mollema – particularly helping the Dutchman on climbs.
Right-hand man of his countryman Fabian Cancellara. The time trial specialist’s retirement from the race means he will now work for Bauke Mollema – particularly helping the Dutchman on climbs.
Highlight
In 2013, Rast guided Cancellara to his third Paris-Roubaix victory. An heroic team effort put Cancellara in a commanding position 50km from home – Rast finished 86th but performed a vital part in his compatriot’s triumph.
In 2013, Rast guided Cancellara to his third Paris-Roubaix victory. An heroic team effort put Cancellara in a commanding position 50km from home – Rast finished 86th but performed a vital part in his compatriot’s triumph.
Samsung: We are greater than I
Samsung, in partnership with Trek Factory Racing, have created a film to celebrate the domestiques of professional cycling. Those who sacrifice and suffer. Those who ride for the greater good of their team. Those who are evidence that together, we are greater than I.
For more info, visit http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/events/ridefor/
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