Definitions: rouleur by Paul Fournel

Definitions: rouleur by Paul Fournel

“He manages the wind like a bass manages the sea. He rides gears as heavy as anvils while having the elegance to never show it”


The rouleur has long-lasting majesty. His talent consists of a statuesque position: the rouleur knows how to stay in an impeccable (and unbearable) position for hours, body bent in two, arms at right angles, face lowered, the top of his head open to the breeze.


He manages the wind like a bass manages the sea. He rides gears as heavy as anvils while having the elegance to never show it.

The less he moves, the faster he will go. It is a real spectacle for those in the know. Those not in the know find him boring because there is little which is spectacular; often, in fact, it is only disorder that gives the impression of speed.

Read: Johan Museeuw – a rouleur defined

To best express this sense of power, the peloton asserts that the rouleur “has a big motor”. It finds in him the consistency and the power of a machine. It speaks from experience, the peloton, since when someone or other takes a fancy to attacking, the rouleur puts himself on the front to take the troops back to the fugitive and each person can experience the consequences for the muscles.

The rouleur gives the best of himself in the solitude of the time trial, but he does not mind taking himself to the front of the peloton to stretch it out into a long line and to stick his tongue out at all the good people who are breathless in his wheel.

Read: Cyrille Guimard – You need to be a rouleur to win the Tour de France

The flat is his kingdom. If decorated with a few cobblestones, like in Paris-Roubaix, it even allows him to fly a few centimetres above the ground. He enjoys long sweeping corners where he can follow his line without breaking his sacrosanct rhythm. When he hasn’t extricated himself from the peloton thanks to his strength, he is a perfect leadout man for his sprinter: placed in front of him, he opens up the air and dictates a high cadence. In a team, the rouleur is the indispensable base of the trade of cycling.

 

The post Definitions: rouleur by Paul Fournel appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.


READ MORE

Mathieu van der Poel

Defending, not chasing yellow: Mathieu van der Poel returns to the Mûr-de-Bretagne

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider is back in yellow but plays down ambitions for green  

Read more
Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar

‘I don’t know what they were trying to do’ - The UAE-Visma mind games have started at the Tour de France

Subtle tactical choices from both teams during stage six give an insight into the mindsets of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard

Read more
Romance and science: How EF Education-EasyPost pulled off Tour de France perfection

Romance and science: How EF Education-EasyPost pulled off Tour de France perfection

The crazy plan behind Ben Healy’s stunning solo victory on stage six of the Tour de France

Read more
Tour de France peloton

Tour de France 2025 stage seven preview: The Mûr-de-Bretagne awaits

Riders will tackle two ascents of the steep slopes of the Mûr-de-Bretagne in a finish suited to the climbers and puncheurs

Read more
Mathieu van der Poel

Tour de France 2025 standings: the results after stage six

The latest results and standings from the Tour de France 2025

Read more
Kévin Vauquelin, the Norman conqueror, fighting his way onto the Tour de France podium

Kévin Vauquelin, the Norman conqueror, fighting his way onto the Tour de France podium

A storming time trial sees Arkéa-B&B Hotels rider defy the odds and remain in touching distance of the maillot jaune after five stages

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE