What is the term for riding close behind another cyclist to reduce drag? Drafting.
Drafting, also called slipstreaming, occurs when a cyclist rides in the disturbed air behind another rider. Because the following cyclist faces less aerodynamic resistance, they can maintain the same speed with less energy. The benefit becomes especially important at higher speeds, when air resistance is a major part of cycling effort.
In road racing, riders commonly form a paceline, with each cyclist—apart from the leader—drafting behind someone ahead. Teammates may rotate through the front position so that the workload is shared. In a larger race group, the tightly packed formation is known as a peloton, where many riders gain aerodynamic shelter from those in front and nearby.
Drafting is not the same as sprinting, which is a high-speed acceleration, or cadence, the rate at which a rider turns the pedals. Riders must also leave enough room to react: overlapping wheels or following unpredictably can cause crashes. Drafting can be tactical as well as economical, since a sheltered rider may conserve energy for a late attack or finishing sprint.