Category Archives: Henrik’s Wheel

TDF-Breaking Away

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From the Ask Tom mailbag:

Question:

Every day that we watch the Tour de France, a small group always breaks ahead of the big pack, but they always get caught. Why do they do that, if they always get caught? And why do they always get caught?

Response:

In spite of the almost certainty the breakaway group will be hunted down and swept away, they earn valuable points through designated sprint zones. While most of us watch the race focused on the yellow jersey, there are other competitions inside the race.

And the breakaway group doesn’t always get caught. On rare occasions, the escape group manages to hold the lead, hoping for a miscalculation on the part of the peleton (the big pack).

The peleton, on the other hand, attempts to manage the pace of the race to eventually catch the escape. The swarm of riders in the big group creates an enormous wind tunnel, so riders are able to conserve more of their energy while traveling at greater speed than the breakaway group. The breakaway group, usually five to seven riders, creates a smaller slipstream, with each rider required to take a turn on the front, breaking the wind for the riders behind. Riding single file, constantly switching the lead, the escapees consume more energy, ultimately tiring and getting caught. Near the end, the escape group may lose its members one by one as they exhaust themselves.

The veteran sprinters will almost never be involved in a breakaway, knowing the peleton will manage the race tempo. These vets will conserve their energy for the final sprint to the finish.

Stage Five. What we thought would be another sprinter’s battle between Boonen (BEL-QSI) and McEwan (AUS-DVL) was spoiled by Oscar Freire (ESP-RAB) from Team Rabobank. As the sprinters accelerated from the pack Freire moved quietly up the right side without attracting attention and slipped by frontrunners, beating them to the finish.

In the overall standings, Hincapie (USA-DSC) dropped behind Freire on points, now 17 seconds behind the lead. All this will change, however, when we get to the time trial on Saturday, July 8 (Stage 7). It’s a long time trial, 52km, favoring the GC (General Classification) contenders.

Overall Standings after Stage Five

1-BOONEN, Tom -BEL-QSI -25hrs 10min 51sec

2-ROGERS, Michael -AUS-TMO –+13sec

3-FREIRE, Oscar -ESP-RAB –+17sec

4-HINCAPIE, George -USA-DSC –+17sec

5-HUSHOVD, Thor -NOR-C.A –+19sec

6-MC EWEN, Robbie -AUS-DVL –+24sec

7-SAVOLDELLI, Paolo -ITA-DSC –+27sec

8-LANDIS, Floyd -USA-PHO –+28sec

9-KARPETS, Vladimir -RUS-CEI –+29sec

10-HONCHAR, Serhiy -UKR-TMO –+29sec

TDF-Application of Talent

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Stage Four clearly demonstrates the application of talent for a specific requirement. It has been a predictable sportfest for the sprinters. Why? Those consistently at the finish in these early rounds of the Tour have a talent for holding 25mph for 5 hours, then drawing deep into a burst of acceleration. It takes conditioned fast twitch muscles and a reserve of the right blood chemistry to fuel that last sustained sprint. It’s a talent, a special gift that they have. It is not, however, the talent required to win the Tour.

Robbie McEwan (AUS-DVL) takes his second stage win of the Tour, but we won’t see him in the yellow jersey at the end. His talents are focused on the sprint. Though he moved to 6th place overall, only 12 seconds out of the lead, he will lose major ground in the mountains.

We saw a bit of strategy by Team Discovery (USA) today as Egoi Martinez (ESP-DSC) was instructed to breakaway early. Not the first attack of the day, but 18km into the race, he bolted. Four followed as he sustained an escape that lasted until the last 2km mark. Though he was swarmed at the end, he picked up :16 seconds on points throughout the race, and moved into 5th place overall.

For Discovery (USA), Hincapie (USA-DSC) is still comfortably in third place, with teammates Savoldelli (ITA-DSC) and Martinez (ESP-DSC) among the top seven riders.

Overall Standings After Stage Four

1-BOONEN, Tom -BEL-QSI -19 hrs 52min 13 sec

2-ROGERS, Michael -AUS-TMO –+1 sec

3-HINCAPIE, George -USA-DSC –+5 sec

4-HUSHOVD, Thor -NOR-C.A –+7 sec

5-MARTINEZ, Egoi -ESP-DSC –+10 sec

6-MC EWEN, Robbie -AUS-DVL –+12 sec

7-SAVOLDELLI, Paolo -ITA-DSC –+15 sec

8-BENNATI, Daniele -ITA-LAM –+15 sec

9-LANDIS, Floyd -USA-PHO –+16 sec

10-KARPETS, Vladimir -RUS-CEI –+17 sec

TDF – The High Ground

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Your top performer has just been discovered below the line. It’s your highest volume salesperson caught in a kickback, your most productive line worker taking a quality shortcut. In every manager’s life, a decision will emerge. Do you look the other way? Do you rewrite the standards? Obtain a vigorous denial and a promise never to do it again?

Jan Ullrich was on the team bus when the news was delivered. Ivan Basso was out on a training ride when he got word. The top two contenders in the Tour de France would not start. Should the evidence prove them innocent, then a great injustice has been done. Should the evidence prove them participants in blood doping, then they earned the penalty.

I have seen this scenario over and over. Managers hesitate because they fear the loss in productivity should they scratch their shining star. They put up with ethical dilemmas, anti-social behavior and intimidation, compromising their own value system. Many cannot make the hard decision.

The debate was most likely vigorous, but the decision, swift and unanimous. Every team manager agreed that any rider listed in the investigation would be withdrawn from the team roster. At this late date, Tour rules are specific. No rider withdrawn would be allowed a replacement.

And yet, for managers who make the tough decision to stand the high ground, they find their fears are unfounded. They find a stable of young players ready to fill the gaps. They find that many co-workers were aware of the ethical foul play and wondered what took the manager so long to take action.

And so this year’s Tour kicks off unpredictably fearsome. The field for the yellow jersey is wide open.

Update through Stage 3

The Prologue (individual time trial) separated the fastest by short seconds with Thor Hushovd (Team Credit Agricole-C.A) taking the first yellow by a margin of only one second over George Hincapie (Team Discovery-DSC). Though there has been no official designation of team leader for Discovery, Hincapie may emerge the leader without the designation.

Stage One. It is not certain strategy that George Hincapie (DSC) jump to the front in yellow, but he takes the stage nonetheless edging Thor Hushovd (C.A) by two seconds. It is too early to take the yellow and continue its defense. More likely that Team Discovery will let it go by Stage Two.

Stage Two. Matthias Kessler (Team T-Mobile-TMO) led a break away from the pack that almost succeeded, breaking down in the last 50 meters. It was nail-biting to watch him spin out his lungs as the sprinters in the peleton swept him away. Robby McEwan from Australia (Team Davitamon-Lotto-DVL) moved ahead to take the stage. Predictably, George Hincapie (DSC) let the yellow jersey go back to Thor Hushovd (C.A) who arrived in third place for Stage Two. Hincapie stayed tucked safely in the pack, but only trails in the overall standings by a margin of ten seconds.

Stage Three. Matthias Kessler (TMO) may have something to prove with his team leader Jan Ullrich ejected from the race prior to the Prologue. Once again, he broke away from the Peleton, but today, he succeeded. The sprinters, behind, waited too long, thinking they would repeat yesterday’s sweep, but Kessler kept a five second separation that lasted through the finish. Robbie McEwan (DVL) who spoiled it for Kessler yesterday did not finish in the top 10 today. In the overall standings, George Hincapie (DSC) gained ground over Thor Hushovd (C.A) moving into third place overall only five seconds off the pace. It is likely Discovery will keep him protected near the front, but we may not see much of George until the mountains. Of great interest is also the name of Paolo Savoldelli (DSC), in fifth place overall. That’s two Discovery (USA) riders in the top five. Sadly, Alejandro Valverde (Team Caisse D’Epargne-Illes Balears), a podium contender, suffered a broken collarbone in a crash, so this year’s Tour is over for him.

1 – BOONEN, Tom – BEL – QSI – 14 hrs 52 min 23 sec

2 – ROGERS, Michael – AUS – TMO +1 sec

3 – HINCAPIE, George – USA – DSC +5 sec

4 – HUSHOVD, Thor – NOR – C.A +7 sec

5 – SAVOLDELLI, Paolo – ITA – DSC +15 sec

6 – BENNATI, Daniele – ITA – LAM +15 sec

7 – LANDIS, Floyd – USA – PHO +16 sec

8 – KARPETS, Vladimir – RUS – CEI +17 sec

9 – HONCHAR, Serhiy – UKR – TMO +17 sec

10 – KESSLER, Matthias – GER – TMO +17 sec

Who?

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It’s not a what, but a who. Most management issues appear to be all about “What do we do about this or that.” But the resolution is seldom a what, it’s almost always a who.

The players (who) on your team will dictate the team’s success. You can build teamwork, define best practices, provide the finest resources, but if you don’t have the right who(s), your team will under perform.

So, that is the question this year at the Tour. Lance has retired. Who will take his place? Indeed, all the speculation is about who?

As the prologue is set for Saturday, with the first full stage on Sunday, here are some of the who(s) to watch. These are the names that will become familiar over the next few weeks.

Ivan Basso, riding for Team CSC (DEN). Ivan placed third in 2004 and second in 2005. He is riding with a tight team coached by former tour winner Bjarne Riis.

Jan Ullrich, riding for Team T-Mobile (GER). Jan won the Tour in 1997, prior to the Armstrong reign. He stood on the podium in 2005, in third place behind Basso.

George Hincapie riding for Team Discovery (USA). Former domestique (nine Tours) for Armstrong, George pulled a stage win in the mountains last year. He is not the heir apparent, but one of several who could be anointed new leader of Team Discovery.

The Tour, this year, is wide open. Many contenders could break away, scoring precious points. The tactics will be completely different without Armstrong and his protection.

Let the race begin.

Management Skills Blog will take short holiday coinciding with the extended US 4th of July holiday. We will see you back here on Wednesday, July 5. -TF

The Tour Begins on Saturday

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He will not be there.

There comes a time when every team loses its star player. On your teams, it happens. In your company it happens.

I know the lump in the throat when, from across your desk, your star player tells you she is leaving. Moving to Iowa. Retiring. Changing careers.

We cannot stop her, in fact, we wish her well. But, our hearts tell us life will never be the same.

Still, life goes on. Veteran managers know the clouds will go away, the birds will sing and the sun will shine again. Life goes on.

Long time readers of Management Skills Blog know of my keen interest in cycling. Each year, July turns its attention to the lessons learned in the Tour De France. Some readers may find a new appreciation for the sport. Even without Lance Armstrong.

There will be new names, just like new names in your own company when a star player leaves. Of course, they are not really new, just faces you never paid attention to before.

There will be favorites this year. On the stage with Lance in 2005 were Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich. But there are a host of other players you will meet over the next few weeks.

My interest in this sport is the quiet teamwork required to post a win. It is not entirely visible. You might think the winner would emerge only from individual effort and the tactic would be to just “go fast.” Not the case.

My fascination is in the management lessons. Coaching, teamwork, tactics, communication, support, fitness, self-talk, discipline. We’ll have some fun over the next few weeks. The Prologue starts on Saturday, July 1. -TF

Push Me, I Will Go Faster

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I was on Henrik’s wheel. We had eight miles to go with 43 miles behind us. I was thinking, as long as Henrik kept this pace, I could hang on. If he went faster, I was toast. One thing was certain. I could not handle another shift on the front. My legs were rubber.

Henrik pulled to the left, sat up and looked over. No way, I said to myself. I can’t. Henrik just stared at me. I stood on my pedals and dug in, pulling ahead. Henrik fell in behind allowing me to block the wind for the next stretch of road.

Sometimes I ride by myself, but I never get the workout, I never get the push unless I ride with someone else. Left to our own devices, we coast when it’s convenient, dog the hill with some justification about the heat or the wind.

Push me and I will go faster, challenge me and I will find that bit of energy left that I did not know I had.

Everyone needs a coach. -TF

Market Dominance

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In spite of the fact that I told my staff that I would lay off cycling for a bit, now that the tour is over, we did receive a comment this past weekend from a reader whose support of Armstrong may not be entirely enthusiastic.

“Do you have any idea on what Armstrong said to Candel Evans after he sneaked in front of him and taking the 11th place on the last Tuesday stage? “Why have you done that?” It is known that Armstrong intimidates the other riders and that anyone who does not obey, as Candel did, is punished? Years for now, after each tentative escape from the peleton, Candel will be followed by the Discovery team, which will lead the peleton into Evans’ annihilation. Now, that’s the “team spirit”, and Armstrong kicked T-Mobile asses because they dared to walk outside the leadership of the Great Lance. ”

It is my intent to link this discussion to relevant management issues, and as I read the posted comment, I remembered a conversation I had with a South African fellow named Gideon Malherbe. We were talking about those companies who maintained a strategy of Market Dominance. Seven tour wins reminds me of market dominance, though we were talking about Wal-Mart and Microsoft. Gideon’s parting thought to me was, “If you are the 800 pound gorilla in a market and not stepping on some toes, then you are missing the point.”

I am curious, what do you think? -TF

The Finish

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As the Tour de France wound down, there was little left to be decided. Jan Ullrich (TMO) pounded an incredible time trial on Saturday that moved him into third place overall. Mickael Rasmussen (RAB), dropped from third place to seventh place as his wheels came off (literally). He crashed twice and by some counts was on his fourth bike by the time he crossed the finish. Lance Armstrong (DSC) swept by Ullrich’s time trial pace by 23 seconds capturing an unprecedented 7th Tour victory. Sunday was Lance’s day on the Champs-Elysees. Protocol dictated that he go unchallenged in the final stage.

Tuesday, Managementblog will be back in its form, with the race behind. We will continue to talk about teams and leadership, building organizations that are stronger and more productive. Teams that can sustain an extended competitive effort and grow stronger. Teams that can be challenged and put at risk. Teams that have to regroup and come back with a different strategy. Teams that, in the end, can bring home the Yellow Jersey. We will talk about your teams. -TF

It Takes a Team to Win

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This year’s Tour de France never looked easy. Lance Armstrong (DSC) always considered Jan Ullrich (TMO) from Team T-Mobile to be his fiercest competition. While America cheered for Lance, there was no slack in the energy to unseat him. Ullrich publicly stated that the Tour de France was not worth winning unless Lance Armstrong was competing. Indeed, T-Mobile put together a dangerous team. The treacherous trio of Jan Ullrich, Alexandre Vinokourov and Andreas Kloden came to bury Lance, no love lost.

I said it would take a team to win.

Last Saturday, T-Mobile launched a new strategy. Break up Discovery and isolate Lance from his team. It almost worked, except for one thing. T-Mobile, themselves, could not work together as a team. Though Ullrich has been the legacy chieftain, both Vinokourov and Kloden carried an agenda to contest his leadership. They did not work together and Lance survived (well, more than survived, he kicked their ass).

Wednesday was the day the wheels came off. Kloden abandoned the race (after suffering an injury on Tuesday) and Vinokourov announced he was leaving T-Mobile at the end of the Tour. Ullrich, now by himself, remains the leader. Their tactics might have worked, but for the lack of a team.

Team Discovery took another Stage win on Wednesday (Stage 17) when Paolo Savoldelli (DSC) escaped with the first breakaway group. George Hincapie (DSC) captured Stage 15 on Sunday and Yaroslav Popovych (DSC) is ahead in the Young Rider competition. Lance Armstrong (DSC) maintains a 2 minute 46 second lead over Ivan Basso (CSC).

Thursday is 189km with two category 3 and two category 2 climbs. Small skirmishes may erupt as this may be the last opportunity for a shakeup before the time trial on Saturday. Outside of the time trials, if Lance is to make a run for a Stage win, this might be it. -TF

Overall Standings after Stage 17

1 001 ARMSTRONG, Lance USA DSC 72:55:50.000 00:00:00.000

2 021 BASSO, Ivan ITA CSC 72:58:36.000 00:02:46.000

3 057 RASMUSSEN, Mickael DEN RAB 72:58:59.000 00:03:09.000

4 011 ULLRICH, Jan GER TMO 73:01:48.000 00:05:58.000

5 031 MANCEBO, Francisco ESP IBA 73:02:21.000 00:06:31.000

6 164 LEIPHEIMER, Levi USA GST 73:03:25.000 00:07:35.000

7 019 VINOKOUROV, Alexandre KAZ TMO 73:05:28.000 00:09:38.000

8 044 EVANS, Cadel AUS DVL 73:05:39.000 00:09:49.000

9 066 LANDIS, Floyd USA PHO 73:05:43.000 00:09:53.000

10 101 MOREAU, Christophe FRA C.A 73:07:57.000 00:12:07.000

Back on Your Desk

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Nicole was exasperated, “I try to delegate, but I always seem to end up with the project back in my lap.”

I was curious, “Tell me what kinds of things do you try to delegate?”

“Some small stuff, but I really try to delegate projects or phases of projects. These are significant responsibilities, not just petty stuff I am trying to dump off.”

“Nicole, when you delegate a project, how does the conversation sound?”

“I don’t know, I get with the person and hand them the file, or whatever and give them a deadline. I always give them the deadline.”

“So, where do you think the breakdown is?”

“Even though they know the deadline, I don’t think they start fast enough. Or they need help, but don’t even know they need help because they didn’t start the project early enough to find out. Then it ends up on my desk, half finished or half assed, one of the two.”

I pressed for a different approach. “Nicole, what one thing should you change to get a different result?”

“Maybe I should frontload an extra meeting within 24 hours of the delegation to make sure they started the project and to find out what problems they have.”

“Indeed.” -TF

Tour de France Update

Turns out many readers are depending on this blog to get their Tour updates.

Tuesday’s race saw the leaders content to hold their own while small skirmishes broke out for standings in the lower part of the top ten. Cadel Evans led a breakaway group that succeeded to the end. That moved him into 7th place overall. The closest person to Lance Armstrong (DSC) is Ivan Basso (CSC) marking 2 minutes 45 seconds behind. After almost 67 hours of racing, two minutes doesn’t seem like much, but it is likely to be impenetrable. Lance just has to stay healthy and not fall off of his bike.

Once out of the mountains, the flat stages will see attacks off of the front, but if any of the leaders have that in mind, Lance will be right there to cover. There is still one time trial to go. We might see Lance go all out as he begins to make his exit from the Tour.

Standings after Stage 16

1 001 ARMSTRONG, Lance USA DSC 66:52:03.000 00:00:00.000

2 021 BASSO, Ivan ITA CSC 66:54:49.000 00:02:46.000

3 057 RASMUSSEN, Mickael DEN RAB 66:55:12.000 00:03:09.000

4 011 ULLRICH, Jan GER TMO 66:58:01.000 00:05:58.000

5 031 MANCEBO, Francisco ESP IBA 66:58:34.000 00:06:31.000

6 164 LEIPHEIMER, Levi USA GST 66:59:38.000 00:07:35.000

7 044 EVANS, Cadel AUS DVL 67:01:32.000 00:09:29.000

8 066 LANDIS, Floyd USA PHO 67:01:36.000 00:09:33.000

9 019 VINOKOUROV, Alexandre KAZ TMO 67:01:41.000 00:09:38.000

10 101 MOREAU, Christophe FRA C.A 67:03:50.000 00:11:47.000