Cycling Breakaway Calculator

Find how long it takes the peloton to catch a breakaway.

Time gap

Breakaway speed

Chasers' speed

Time to catch 28

Distance to catch 0.021

Formula: catch time = lead distance ÷ closing speed

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Time gap = 120

3. Breakaway speed = 42

4. Chasers' speed = 45

6. Time to catch = 28

7. Distance to catch = 0.021

Did we solve your problem today?

If the chasers ride faster than the breakaway, they'll eventually reel them in.

The math behind it

Lead distance = breakaway speed × gap. Catch time = lead ÷ (chase speed − breakaway speed).

2-min gap, break 42 km/h, chase 45 km/h → caught in about 28 minutes.

What if speeds are equal?

The gap never closes — the break stays away.