Originally Posted by aicabsolut

I am not a large person, although I'm far from the smallest in the women's fields. I spent my first year as a 3 getting moved off of wheels by the 1s and 2s and feeling like a pansy. This year, I've been more successful in defending my position and have intimidated my way onto many wheels (no contact). For me, it's a change in body language. I instinctively now puff up--elbows out, slight lean towards the encroaching rider or slight lean towards who I'm encroaching upon. Gradual lateral movements when taking a wheel. I will also do moves similar to what WR and CDR describe to make it clear that the door is not open to someone trying to take a wheel, though I haven't needed to move way up on the person ahead. Having done some sprint nights lately with a bit of a crosswind, I can see how this could be effective, though maneuvering in a bunch racing and fighting for wheels in an echelon is a bit nervewracking sometimes.