Originally Posted by jen_turnbull

It's "tactical cycle racing" versus "cycle racing".

When passing a struggling competitor, you've got 15 seconds (or whatever the rules say) in their drafting zone to overtake. Once past, the onus is on them to immediately drop back 7 metres (or whatever) out of your zone before they can then attempt to come back at you.

The problem with drafting is once you are past, they can tactically hang on to your rear wheel, recover, make you do all the work, then pass you again near the finish.

It's good for Television with close racing, etc. but I find that unfair from a sporting perspective.