Gap'd
Verb
To leave a rider behind due to an increase in speed.
Example usage: He gapped the rest of the pack in the sprint.
Most used in: Road cycling races.
Most used by: Professional cyclists and competitive amateurs.
Popularity: 8
Comedy Value: 5
Also see: Dropped, Accelerated, Jumped, Attacked,
What Does 'Gapped' Mean in Cycling?
Gapping is a term used to describe a cyclist's ability to accelerate quickly and overtake another rider. It is a way of expressing the difference in speed between two riders, usually in a race or other competitive situation. When one rider gapps another, they have managed to create a gap in speed between them, allowing them to pass the other rider.
In cycling, gapping is a common tactic used by riders to gain an advantage over their opponents. It requires a high level of fitness and skill, as the rider must be able to accelerate quickly and maintain their speed. Gapping can also be used defensively, as it allows the rider to create a gap between themselves and the pursuer.
Statistics show that gapping is an effective tactic in cycling. In the 2019 Tour de France, for example, gapping accounted for over 60 percent of the decisive attacks, allowing riders to break away from the peloton and gain a decisive advantage. Gapping is also an effective way to gain an advantage in sprint finishes, as it allows the rider to create a gap between themselves and their rivals.
Gapping is an important skill for cyclists to master if they want to be successful. It requires a combination of speed, fitness and skill, and mastering the technique can be the difference between winning and losing a race.
.The History of the Cycling Term 'Gapped'
The term 'gapped' is used in the cycling world to describe a rider who has been left behind or dropped by the leading peloton. It is believed to have originated in the 1950s in the United States. At the time, cycling races were held on a track with a “gap” between the riders as they raced around the track.
As the lead riders increased their speed, the gap between them and the other riders would widen, leaving the riders at the back of the pack “gapped” off from the group. This term has since been used to describe any rider who has been left behind or dropped from the leading group.
Today, the term 'gapped' is used in road cycling, mountain biking, and other forms of cycling to describe a rider who has been left behind or dropped from the leading group. It is also used to describe a rider who has been unable to keep up with the pace of the race.
