From 1986 mavic catalog:
One or more Mavic cars loaded with wheels and bicycles, ride with the breakaways and the rear of the pack, ensuring that, in the event of a flat or crash, the racers can quickly be serviced without waiting for their team manager who is generally with the pack.
Jack "run-on sentences" Bissell Tucson, Az
Good luck to Mavic-equipped legend Jeannie Longo in tomorrow's El Tour de Tucson!