Television commentators often quote the rule “a minute every 10 km”: a chasing peloton can usually close about a minute of gap per 10 km. This calculator does the physics behind it with your speeds.
How to use the Cycling Breakaway Calculator
- Time gap
- Riders in the breakaway
- Breakaway speed
- Peloton speed
- Distance to the finish
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Enter the time gap, the speeds of the breakaway and the peloton, and the distance to the finish.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Time gap | Units: min, s |
| Riders in the breakaway | A number |
| Breakaway speed | Units: km/h, mph, m/s |
| Peloton speed | Units: km/h, mph, m/s |
| Distance to the finish | Units: km, mi, m, yd |
What each result means
- Lead distance = [Time gap]×[Breakaway speed]
- Time until the catch = [Time gap]×[Breakaway speed]÷([Peloton speed] – [Breakaway speed])÷3600
- Peloton distance until the catch = [Peloton speed]×[Time gap]×[Breakaway speed]÷([Peloton speed] – [Breakaway speed])
- Rule of thumb (1 min per 10 km, slower for bigger breaks) = [Time gap]÷60×10000×(1 + ([Riders in the breakaway] – 1)×0.05)
Example values
How the main result changes when Time gap changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Time gap (min) | Peloton distance until the catch (km) |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | 15.75 |
| 2.25 | 23.625 |
| 3 | 31.5 |
| 3.75 | 39.375 |
| 4.5 | 47.25 |
| 6 | 63 |
Formula
Lead distance = gap × v_breakaway · Catch time = lead ÷ (v_peloton − v_breakaway) · Catch distance = v_peloton × catch time
Worked example
Inputs — Time gap: 3 min; Riders in the breakaway: 4; Breakaway speed: 42 km/h; Peloton speed: 45 km/h; Distance to the finish: 50 km.
Results — Lead distance = 2.1 km; Time until the catch = 0 h 42 min; Peloton distance until the catch = 31.5 km; Result = Caught before the finish; Rule of thumb (1 min per 10 km, slower for bigger breaks) = 34.5 km.
Key terms
- Peloton
- The main group of riders.
- Breakaway
- Riders who have escaped ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Why do bigger breakaways survive longer?
More riders share the work at the front, so they keep speed better.
What is the "1 minute per 10 km" rule?
A rough guide to how fast a chasing peloton closes a gap.
Why do breakaways get caught near the finish?
Teams time the chase to catch them in the last few kilometres.
Does wind matter?
Yes – headwinds favour the peloton, tailwinds the breakaway.