I really like to search for different ways where you can edge out your rivals. Most of the time I focus on the stage races, so it is important for me to have several different weapons in my arsenal.
The latest idea that I had is to wear out my GC rivals on the flats. There have been a few occasions where I did split the peloton in pieces and gained time against my rivals. But this idea is just to keep the pace quite high the entire stage and even though I do not manage to split the peloton, I would succeed in wearing my rivals out especially if they have low flat values and my guy has a higher one.
If this tactic works, then towards the end of the stage some of the rivals may not be able to follow the wheels anymore or they would be so beat up that the next day they wouldn't be so fresh. This would allow me to beat them in an uphill even though my guy is a weaker climber.
It works, but you have to reduce the pack first. In a rather big peloton, even a weak flat rider doesn't tire that much.
in a stage with several climbs, it could be a good tactic to send 1 or 2 helpers who are good on the flat in the breakaway, than set an high pace in the pack on an early climb and use the helpers you will reach on your way to set an high pace on the flat section.
it worked for me with GC leaders such as Martin or De Gendt who are good on the flat.
