Sorry, no positive advice here...
I'm lazy and nowhere near as strong as the same bunch pulling up at the front so I basically sit in the middle to rear of our large pack ride sucking wheel til I drop out along with a bunch of others. At least 3/4 of the riders suck wheel and never attempt to move up to the front.
But if you're among a much smaller pack of riders of similar strength and alility, you've gotta do your share of work up at the front....