Brings back memories. My second race ~20 years ago (crit), I rode in the back very relaxed until we entered a chicane with 1/2 mile to go, and I sprinted past the entire field of 100 riders. On my way to the finish I looked down and noticed that I was going 35 mph and thought... "hummm I can't ride that fast for very long"... and I was right. The last 100 yards seemed to last forever. Six guys passed me right at the line...

Actually that tactic *never* worked, though I tried it a few more times. Better to stay near the front, but tailgunning isn't stupid if the course isn't technical.