Road rash: Skin abrasions resulting from a fall or crash onto the road.
Saddle: The bicycle seat.
Sitting in, Sit on a wheel, Sitting on: Drafting, or riding closely behind the rider immediately in front to save energy.
Soigneur: A member of the team staff who cares for the riders, including physical therapy, food preparation, transport, etc. French for "care giver."
Sprint: The final high-speed dash for the finish line in a race of any distance.
Sprocket: One of the cluster of toothed cogs comprising the "cassette" or "block" attached to the rear wheel. Often referred to by the number of teeth on each cog (the higher the number, the easier the gear): "She's riding in the 21 going up this hill."
Stage race: A bike-race format in which different races (stages) are held on different courses in the same geographical region over a period of consecutive days—all of the stages together compose the "race." The rider with the lowest cumulative time after all of the stages wins the race. The Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Tour of California, etc, are stage races.
Team captain: A seasoned rider within a team, who directs the team's strategy during a race.
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Team leader: The rider who is the focus of a team's tactics and strategy -- the rest of the team rides in order for the leader to win a stage or race.
Tempo: A brisk speed or pedal cadence. ("The team is riding tempo at the front of the group.")
Time trial: A race in which riders start individually at given intervals, and race the course against the clock. Also known as "the race of truth."
Team time trial: Same idea as an individual time trial [see above], but with teams of riders racing together against the clock, each team riding in unison as a group. Usually a set number of team members must cross the line before a finishing time is recorded.
Train: A fast moving paceline of riders, often comprising teammates working together for tactical purposes.
Tuck: A riding position with the head and torso low, back flat, and arms close to the body, for best aerodynamics and maximum speed. Most riders will get into a tuck position on a very steep descent to save energy and increase speed.
UCI: Union Cycliste Internationale, the international governing body of cycling.
Velo: French word for "bike."
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