When you attack, commit. If someone comes with you, work together and make a run for it. If not, put your head down and ride. Sometimes it takes a while for someone to come across. Unless there is a team working together to bring you back, most people are going to try to bridge rather than ride at the front and pull the peloton around. One of my best results was a crit where I initiated the break and another person bridged across several laps later and helped us stay away.

Also, if there is only a lap and a half left in the race, don't even think about trying to organize (assuming these are the traditional short laps and not like a 2 mile lap or something). Just put your head down and ride. You'll know when someone joins you when you look between your legs and see a wheel. Even then, unless you have a huge gap, it's unlikely you will be working together. If you are learen't out and aren't a sprinter, race seriously for second; if you are a sprinter, initiate the sprint early and try to keep the guy from coming around.