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The Next Level

The Next Level

Date: 2015-07-31
'Izandla Ziya Gizana': a Zulu saying meaning 'Hands Wash Each Other'

Rob Opie is a Brand Strategist, Author and 'Game Changer' to organizations, sports teams and individuals

We all have all inner desire to reach 'the next level' of performance, growth and contribution .No matter what profession one may choose in life, definite patterns of human greatness exist. In his weekly 'Game Changer Column', Rob shares some of the insights, innovation and inspiration of the great champions of business, sport and life.

Game Changer Number Nine: 'The Power of The Peloton '

The Tour de France is no easy race. The modern editions of the tour consist of 21 grueling stages over a 23-day period and cover around 3,500 kilometers. And they say there are days at the Tour de France when one would consider swapping non-vital organs for a bit of shade.

One thing is for sure - it's 21 days of intense competition where the champion riders - dogged by constant scrutiny and continuing doping allegations - seek to find and apply leverage in many different 'legal ' formats . Leverage defined as the ability to do more - with less.

One of these forms of leverage is the Peloton (from French, meaning little ball or platoon). The purpose of the Peloton is to do more with less - hence creating a 'magical multiplier effect'. It's all about team effort and synergy.

In many ways it's the same in real life: T.E.A.M standing for 'Together Everyone Achieves More'.

By riding close to other riders (drafting, slipstreaming and particularly behind), the reduction in drag is dramatic - up to 40 % say sports scientists.

The peloton travels as an integrated unit (similar in some respects to birds flying in formation) with each rider making slight adjustments in response to their adjacent riders. Riders at the front are exposed to higher loads, and will tend to slip off the front in order to rejoin the pack farther back. A fluid formation often results in a situation where the center of the peloton appears to be pushing through its own leading edge.

The Peloton mimics strategies and tactics used in real life situations - and having to adapt to constant change.

A strong headwind or 'a hard effort' tends to spread out or string out the riders, while a slow tempo or tailwind tends to bunch up the peloton into a wider formation. Side wind forces the peloton to form into echelons in the direction of the wind. Often, the width of the road forces the peloton to form several echelons. When two or more groups of riders want to contest control of the peloton, several lines may form racing one another. It's always advantageous to be close to the front of the peloton. One reason is to avoid being affected by the 'elastic band effect' in which a change in speed becomes amplified as it propagates to the back of the peloton - often resulting in wipe outs.

All types of team dynamics come into play as teams seek to create competitive advantage and deliver their lead rider to the bottom of the first big Pyrenean climbing stage - fresher than any rivals - and with the opportunity to let loose.

One thing is for sure - it's wise to never under estimate the power of the team - the 'human collective' in sport and in life.

* For more insight, innovation and inspiration please visit https://www.thegameplan.co.za. Rob can be contacted at robopie@thegameplan.co.za.