Introduction
The Tour de France is one of the great annual events of world sports. It appears to be a three week battle between individual cyclists. But it is really a race between teams of cyclists. This year, 2011, the winner was an Australian, Cadell Evans. But the other eight riders in his team were totally dedicated to his success.
Three Grand Tours
There are three “Grand Tours” in Europe each year. Along with the Tour de France there is the tour of Italy, the “Giro”, and the tour of Spain, the “Vuelto”. Watching the Vuelta on TV, I was reminded of the depth and strength of team commitment, even by support staff.
Support Groups
Each team has 9 cyclists. And large support group: doctors, mechanics, physiotherapists, masseurs, even chefs are co-opted to ensure that every need of every cyclist on each team is well provided for. The risks they take can be extraordinary.
Stay Upright or Lose
Once each day’s stage commences, riders riders try not to stop. The tour winner is decided on time. The rider who takes the least time to complete the course wins the race. The Grand Tours last 3 weeks. The Tour de France covered over 3000 km – 1800 miles. Riders try to stay on their bikes at all costs.
Running Repairs
Riders suffer minor injuries. And minor mechanical problems occur with their cycles. Treatment of both minor injuries and mechanical repairs must occur “on the run”. Both can be extremely dangerous. As an example of team support and personal risk taking, it’s worth recording how they occur.
The Mechanical Repair
If a bike needs minor adjustment, the cyclist slows down and rides beside the team car. A mechanic leans out the window of the car. The mechanic makes the necessary repairs while leaning out the window up to his waist. The cyclist and car keep moving.
Attending The Injury
To adjust or apply a dressing worn by the rider, the team doctor does the same as the mechanic: he leans out of the car window up to his waist and affects a running repair to whatever part of the rider’s anatomy that needs attention.
The Circumstances
Remember, both car and rider are travelling at about 40 kmh – 25 mph. The car and cyclist are only arms length apart. Both car driver and cyclist must keep a straight line. Should either veer, they could crash.
The Risks
The repair or injury treatment may take a few minutes to complete. The mechanic or doctor are up to their waist out of the car. A slight error from the driver or cyclist could easily result in the doctor or mechanic being thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured.
Everyone, including other passengers in the car such as the coaches and off road team leaders are at great risk of personal injury or maybe death. And remember this “running repair” process occurs in every team. It’s an event that occurs a number of times each day. It’s not unusual. But crashes rarely occur during the procedure. The level of trust between cyclist, doctor or mechanic, car driver and team management in the team car is quite extraordinary.
Goals ….
Teams have very specific team goals. In the Grand Tours not every team has a member capable of winning the overall race. They may want to win one of the lesser awards such as Best Sprinter, Best Climber, Best Young Rider, a particular stage or a team award. Whatever the team goal, every team member including support staff are totally committed to that goal.
…. And Roles
Team roles are absolutely crystal clear too. Certain cyclists are nominated as “domestiques”. These are riders whose job it is to do whatever is necessary to help the team favourite to win whatever award the team has specified. Without them, team favourites couldn’t achieve their goals. Occasionally a domestique may win a stage, but only if it fits into the team strategy.
These Events Are Special
Cycling’s Grand Tours may seem like three week, helter skelter endurance events that only elite cyclists can win. They’re not. They’re team events. The strategy and tactics involved are more complex than those of a Super Bowl. And the total dedication to team goals and roles is more structured than that of any NBL champion. The level of fitness required to handle the 3 week, 3000 km event in all weathers, up mountains, down valleys and along flat country is matched by few other sporting events.
What We Can Learn
1. Have a clear business focus.
2. Have crystal clear business goals.
3. Ensure that every team member accepts his or her team role.
4. Accept that effective team performance involves risk.
5. You need persistence and endurance to succeed.
6. You don’t necessarily need the “best” employees. But you do need “best” team members to whom team success means more than individual success.
Conclusion
Managers can learn much from events and occasions that on the surface are totally unrelated to running a business. Europe’s Grand Tours of cycling have many messages for managers. And they’re excellent examples of the value of purposeful teamwork.
What To Do Now
Ask yourself what you can learn from what I’ve said about cycling’s Grand Tours. Are your team members as committed to business success as tour cyclists? Are your business goals as clearly defined as those of a Grand Tour team? What can you do to enable your support staff to see themselves clearly as team participants and to take major risks to help team goals?
