Originally Posted by *****3nin.vend3t

As a complete one-off for me as I use cycling only to supplement, it was with a mixed bunch containing ex Cat 2 racers, keen sportive riders and TT riders in the UK. Because I'm so use to training alone & fast (99.9%) of the time, riding in a considerably large peleton that day & being shielded/drafted felt relatively easy, similar to a recovery ride. I wasn't going for the win, nor am I going to sprint, I had a game a few days later, so I finished in the bunch. I don't train specifically for cycling but if I did, I reckon I could easily hold my own even in a pro peleton from what I see on TV.

If your racing is tougher than your training, then you need to train race pace (or go above it) in training. Your body is only going to adapt to the strain that gets placed upon it.