Analysis of Professional Cycling Results as a Predictor for Future Success

As a competitive sport, road cycling lies in a category nearly all its own. Putting aside the sheer length of the races (100 miles is, by most accounts, a short day) and the wildly varying natures of the courses themselves (mountains, cobblestones, and tight city corners are all part of the fun), it is unique in that is a particularly elegant blend of group and individual dynamics. On one hand, it is a fiercely individual sport. Team awards are given, but at the end of the day there will only be one man in each spot on the podium. And yet on the other, each and every rider is at the mercy of the group. A professional peloton is a constantly evolving blend of different skillsets and goals, constantly changing in response to moves made by individuals. It is because of this sort of interaction that I am interested in examining cycling from a network analysis perspective.