What Is A Sprinter? What Makes A Great Sprint Cyclist?

Sprinters like Mark Cavendish, Marcel Kittel and André Greipel are star stage winners in the Grand Tours, but what qualities does a great sprint cyclist have?

To be a world-class sprinter, the first thing that is needed is the ability to put out a huge amount of power over a short period of time. The best sprinters will be able to reach 1400 - 1800 watts for five or so seconds. However, there's more to it than just wattage.

Sprinters must also be able to output high power for longer periods, and as the last few kilometres of a race can reach such high speeds their anaerobic capacity must be high, even when sat on the wheel.

Sprinters use their aero position in the final sprint to reduce drag - part of the reason why Mark Cavendish is so successful.

Bunch positioning and tactics are key - being 15th in the group in the run up to the line with no lead out means a sprinter is unlikely to win. Equally being fearless is incredibly important!

Music:
Freak Music - Massive

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Leave us a comment below!
Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[Daniwheels]

As a small sprinter myself, people would have a hard time understanding how I got to the level that I did. That's what I love about cycling, I'm only 5'7", but the aerodynamic advantage I had was enough to help me win quite often. It was only a theory of mine, but it's nice to hear it validated!

[Carlg]

Crashing aside, I like what Abdoujaparov said "A sprinter with fear is no sprinter."

[jeffweaver]

Classics, climbers, time trialists, stage racers (people who specialize in these), these videos on types of cyclists are neat. Maybe famous cyclist vids too,

[KeenxLimit]

I'd be fearless if bikes are free :(
Crashing my bike and breaking it means the end of the season for me

[bloodsord]

Yes! Just what I wanted to see! Do some videos on tactics and indepth about aprinting. Maybe some examples of positioning during races. I could really use that information! THANK YOU!

[tpain]

Most elite sprinters would also be genetically blessed with a high % of fast twitch muscles fibres enabling them to produce high anaerobic power

[veganbonnie]

I think sprinters are amazing. I love watching a bunch sprint (especially when Marcel Kittel wins).

[rosslaird]

anime brought me here ^^ yowamashi pedal woot woot :) i feel like becoming a sprinter because of it lol

[Liist]

What's amazing about Marcel Kittel was that he managed to get on the wheel of Mark Cavendish and pass him.

[sonnyhaslim]

you need to put 3 gears harder before you push your pedal for sprinting. But if your gear is too light than you will not achieve maximum speed, your cadence is too fast, if your cadence is too fast than your pedaling power is not efficient anymore

[kyle]

Another great video idea thanks you guys !

[chronousnemesis]

Weird they don't talk about cadence here...

[lukeapayne]

Great video. I'd also like to see one about climbers

[RyanSimonovich]

Awesome. Sprint stages are some of my favorites to watch!

[MrKevintellez]

i would love to see one about climbers pls !!!

[asyraafal-taff]

May i know, what is the top speed when the sprinter sprint to the finish line?

[jibaro]

Sprinters like Mark Cavendish, Marcel Kittel and André Greipel and Peter Sagan... :)

[crations]

Why do the sprinters seem to move to the right of the road when nearing the finish?

[roksva]

It's a shame Sagan wasn't even mentioned.

[htdtr]

Yeah how short is cav? All the other sprinters seem quite tall.