I think that you're all making it too complicated.
A cross wind is trying to blow you sideways. Consequently, you have to steer into the wind in order to go straight. That's power that's not moving you down the road. One could argue that missing the lead echelon in a crosswind on the second day of the Tour cost Quintana the race.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.