Chasse Patate is the French term used for “potato chase.” It is what results when the rider is caught in between the leaders in front and the rest of the group. Further, it is when the rider is working hard in front of the main group, but with little hope of reaching the leaders or finding the relative safety of the group itself.
It is difficult to ride solo in a race since the rider lacks the speed and protection being with other riders provides, resulting in difficulty in advancing and fatiguing. This is common in the Tour de France, as well as other professional competitions, when the rider attempts to pursue the group too late or lacks the power to bridge the gap. Chasing the group even when the rider is riding as hard as can be typically results in being overtaken by the rest of the riders in the race, leaving them fatigued and depleted of energy.
