Cyclists slipping on leech (7)

I believe the answer is:

echelon

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'cyclists slipping on leech' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'slipping on leech' is the wordplay.
'slipping' indicates an anagram.
'on'+'leech'='onleech'
'onleech' with letters rearranged gives 'ECHELON'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for echelon that I've seen before include "Level or rank of authority, upper or lower" , "Body of troops arranged in a line" , "Level of command" , "Tier" , "Level or rank in an organisation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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