Directeur Sportif Meaning in Cycling

A Directeur Sportif is the tactical manager of a professional cycling team during a race. This person usually follows the riders in a team car filled with spare bikes and food. They use a radio to talk to the cyclists and give them instructions on strategy. Their job is to decide when to attack, when to chase, and who should lead the team. They also study the race route in advance to warn riders about dangerous turns or wind. Outside of races, they handle the training schedules and the overall direction of the team. A great Directeur Sportif can turn a group of individuals into a winning machine through smart planning. They are the brains behind the brawn of the professional peloton. For example, the Directeur Sportif tells their lead sprinter to wait until the final two hundred meters to start. This advice helps the rider save energy and win the stage by a narrow margin. They are the coaches of the road.