I don't road race much (just a crit and a road race this year and CX doesn't require the same skill lol), and usually ride solo so my group skills are sorely lacking. I want to be able to hang on fast rides but find myself losing wheels so easily, usually when the road pitches up, I try to keep up with the acceleration but just seems like people just go over inclines with ease while I'm struggling to hang on, and I'm no slouch fitness-wise (although my over threshold repeatability really sucks more than usual right now). So before I know it I'm way off the back and would have to do a herculean effort (for me) to catch back on (luckily stop lights help me). Of course, I always think it's an equipment problem (riding a 22lbs Allez with box section wheels vs all the guys with aero gear) but I know that's only partially true at best. As much as it hurts the ego, I'll keep trying!