Claus, I wonder if you realize just how damn good a domestique is. This was the difference between Allaphillip winning the Tour and ending up fifth. Most of those domestiques in the pro peloton can ride at 400 watts for hours at a stretch. Even higher. Why do you suppose near the end of a stage they drop off and then drag in with the lantern rouge? I was in my early 70's when I did that and I think you're suggesting that a 26 year old with flawless training schedules and perfect diet and monitored every day by an MD couldn't do 10 times what I could.

OK, I just did the calculations for what the peloton did for several hours - 45 kph - 28 mph. While the top teams are on the front reducing the loading on the rest of the peloton they went about 28 mph for two hours on several occasions on the flats.

That means that the lead rider is making about 426 watts and there is a rotation of only 8 riders so you don't have that much time off of the front.