Originally Posted by
BengeBoy
Though I'm not sure I am remember the details precisely, he wrote an article once agreeing with your hypothesis - that over very long distances it's better to "rest" more on downhills once you reach the point where you are spending more energy to defeat wind drag and to save your exertion for uphills.
Pete Penseryes used that tactic to win RAAM in '86. But RAAM is a no-drafting 3000 mile time trial.
A race where drafting is allowed requires different tactics. You can't let the pack get away from you. If they are hammering down the descent, you have to do whatever it takes to stay in the draft.