Waaier

In Dutch a “Waaier” represents echelon. It refers to a manner in which cyclists form a diagonal line to shield each other from side winds.
In heavy crosswinds, cyclists ride in a line staggered along the road. Each person remains behind and slightly to the side of the rider in front. Cyclists alternate in the lead and fall back to the protected side to conserve everyone’s energy. Such a formation requires teamwork, bike handling, and space awareness. When a cyclist does not alternate or when the group becomes too large, the cyclist falls back and must face the wind. Waaier tactics are utilized in windy races and in the flat stages of the Tour de France when the group may get dispersed by the weather.