How to beat riders with higher FTP?

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Quick question that can be answered narrowly or broadly. In a criterium, how do you beat riders in the same grade but with clearly higher FTP? When those guys turn up the pace, what chance does one have short of drafting and hope not get dropped. Is the chance equals to zero? Or is improving one's FTP the only solution?

Quick question that can be answered narrowly or broadly. In a criterium, how do you beat riders in the same grade but with clearly higher FTP? When those guys turn up the pace, what chance does one have short of drafting and hope not get dropped. Is the chance equals to zero? Or is improving one's FTP the only solution?
It really depends on how many matches the rider with higher FTP has burned during the race and how fresh you are. If you played your cards right by only using as much energy as need to stay with the group while in a good draft then your odds are better. If another rider with a higher FTP than you is doing the same thing then it comes down to the sprint you can throw FTP just about out the window...... Then it will depend on whos the better sprinter (tatics, and luck) for that outcome.


FTP isnt everything as some seem to think.. But its important