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James Witts

'Small percentages can make a huge difference' - What's the science behind cycling's long-range attacks?

Ben Healy Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogačar on the attack with a digital overlay.

At the 2025 European Road Championships, Tadej Pogačar launched a blistering attack 75km from the finish line and won gold. The Slovenian had already established his Thomas De Gendt-like breakaway prowess at the 2024 World Championships with an attack from 51km out, 48km at last season's Il Lombardia and, of course, his 81km solo spectacular at the 2024 edition of Strade Bianche. Pogačar is the greatest rider of a generation – if not the greatest of all time – so arguably his successful long-range attacks are no surprise.

But he’s not the only one catapulting out of the peloton's grasp and staying free. Alessandro Covi at the 2022 Giro d'Italia, Bob Jungels at the 2022 Tour de France and Ben Healy at the 2023 Giro are just some examples of 50km+ solo attacks. In fact, Healy’s carving out a reputation as a breakaway expert, topping his Giro success with a stage victory at the 2025 Tour de France off the back of a 42km solo effort.

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