In a shorter race the advantage is to get in the best position first (second and /or one out)and maintain it ( prevent another boxing you in). This gives you the slipstream effect (conserving energy) and the position to overtake the leader (as it starts to flag) in the last stages of the race. Horses and jockeys that can do this win many races. In longer races it becomes imperative to conserve energy (race inside the pack) and be in a position to break out and overtake at the same time a dozen others want too. Speed stamina and position versus position stamina and speed. Many people say that slipstreaming doesn't count in horse racing but every race utilizes it. If it can effect Spindly Grindle on two wheels it will definately effect a 50kg runt riding on a 700kg ball of muscle snorting it's way down the track.