New research from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Ansys, now part of Synopsys, demonstrates how team configurations among Tour de France cyclists can significantly influence aerodynamic efficiency, directly impacting energy savings and overall race outcomes.
Led by Professor Bert Blocken, the team applied Ansys computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions to evaluate how different cyclist formations reduce aerodynamic drag on team leaders – a critical tactic in a race that spans over 3,000 kilometres and includes punishing climbs through the Pyrenees and Alps.
As professional cycling continues to evolve with increasingly sophisticated training methods and equipment, understanding aerodynamic principles becomes ever more important for competitive success.
According to Heriot-Watt University and Ansys/Synopsys… ‘The research provides teams with scientific validation of formation strategies that have long been used intuitively in professional racing. With cyclist energy conservation more vital than ever in the 2025 edition, these insights could shape how teams approach the most decisive moments of the race.’
Using a high-fidelity cyclist model and Ansys’ advanced CFD simulation technology, the research analysed wind flow across three-, four-, and five-rider configurations. The results offer clear data-backed guidance on which formations provide the greatest energy savings, insights that professional teams can use to refine their race day strategies.
“The main goal is to minimise the effort of the leader to preserve maximum energy for the rest of the race,” said Professor Blocken.
“Depending on the competitive situation, there will be the recruitment of one or more teammates to shelter the leader as much as possible from the wind to reduce aerodynamic drag.”
Thierry Marchal, Industry Programme Director at Ansys, added “We are bringing aerospace engineering technology to the Tour de France to help athletes better leverage their existing skills.
“Introducing AI and numerical simulation into popular sports such as cycling is also an excellent way to show the importance of modelling and simulation to a wider audience and explain complex physics in a fun and simplified way.”
Formation effectiveness results
The study found that, for a group of three riders, the sheltered rider in an inverted triangle shape experienced a 60% drag reduction compared to riding alone.
By adding a fourth rider and creating a diamond shape, the sheltered rider experiences 62% drag reduction, while his team mates also experience significantly less drag – enabling the whole formation to travel more efficiently.
The optimal setup for the sheltered leader is a train formation with two pairs of team members riding side by side ahead of them. This strategy significantly cuts drag by 76%, requiring the dedication of four cyclists to shield the leader.
In summary:
- A five-rider ‘train’ formation can reduce drag on the team leader by a whopping 76%
- A four-rider diamond cuts drag by 62%
- A three-rider inverted triangle still manages a strong 60% reduction
Frédéric Grappe, Head of Performance and Innovation at Equipe Groupama FDJ, explained the practical implications: “The number of teammates required and the configuration adopted to reduce the leader’s effort without sacrificing too many team members is usually determined by the current racing configurations.
“The goal is to bring the leader back into the group by relieving their effort as much as possible and avoiding accelerations as much as possible, which are very costly in terms of energy.
“This study examines numerous configurations and quantifies the advantages of each in the absence of crosswind, tailwind, and headwind. Despite other parameters, such as different body geometries and the presence of other vehicles, this analysis provides invaluable information to discuss with our team before the race to agree on the best tactics.”
