Domestiques are the workhorses of the team, looking after their team leaders to incredibly selfless degrees.
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Domestiques perform a variety of roles within teams depending on their strengths, though one of the biggest is simply to protect their team leader from the wind - saving them energy and helping to keep the lead rider fresh.
Helping to protect the race lead is another key role, making sure that no one big gets away from the front and that their overall GC rider will maintain their position. Domestiques also help their team leaders get back into the group if they have punctures, or will even give them their bike if their team leader breaks theirs.
Getting the teams leader into the right position ahead of climbs, cobbles or windy sections is key too. Tactics are an increasingly useful domestique role, with many being experienced, level headed riders.
In sprinters teams the role is different. Managing the gap to any break and leading out your sprinter are crucial.
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