1. yes

2. 2nd, 3rd, 4th place, etc. If they feel inclined they can drop you to stay on the lead lap or even try to unlap themselves, but really all they have to do is stay ahead of you to not have to end up in a field sprint. Say 3 guys take off and stay ahead of you up to the bell lap. At the finale, you've won and every else is sprinting for 5th place (even if your in the field) while those three guys come in behind the field for 2, 3 and 4th.

The big no no is dropping back to help. IE, A teamate in the bunch cant slow down and wait for you and help you up to the field. If you see a teamate OTB of a field your trying to catch from behind, avoid him like the plague. Working with him will get you DQ'ed.