A breakaway occurs when some riders are ahead of the main group, the peloton, or the pack, in a race. The riders take turns in front of the peloton to make time for themselves and usually attempt to win the stage or make the teams in the peloton alter their tactics.
Breakaways take place frequently in road racing competitions such as the Tour de France, particularly in segments of ground that favor riders trying to make their escape. That is when collaborative riding comes in. Land, wind conditions, and how hard the chase group will work are also influential. With long stages, an efficient breakaway can put lesser known riders in the spotlight, attract sponsorship, or target points in the intermediate sprints as well as King of the Mountain competitions.
