rest during sprint training

[bubblegum]

i was just wondering about the total rest (3+mins) that most sprint training regimes prescribe, and how beneficial this is due to the fact that any road race sprint in any race will never be done from complete rest, surely it would be better to train your body to be able to sprint after a few minutes of near maximal effort to better simulate race conditions??

 

[Frans Rutten]

You don't think, the sprinters are resting "between the wheels"?

Compare this:

1km within the peloton and sprinting for the last 100-150m or so

and

1km on your own and sprinting for the last 100m-150m or so.


Any idea how much the sprinter would lose in his sprint, let alone in the whole 1km segment?