Peloton

The peloton (from French, literally meaning ball and related to the English word platoon), bunch or pack is the large main group in a road bicycle race.

Related Topics:
French - English - Platoon - Road bicycle race

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Riders in a group save energy by riding close (drafting or slipstreaming) near (particularly behind) other riders. The peloton travels as an integrated unit, like birds flying in formation, each rider making slight adjustments in response to the riders around them (particularly the one in front of each).

Related Topics:
Energy - Drafting - Slipstream - Bird

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More loosely, "the peloton" can also refer to professional cyclists in general: "LeMond joined the European peloton at a time when few Americans could."

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Merriam-Webster?s Dictionary chose peloton as the seventh place finisher for the Top 10 words of the year 2004.

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