Breakaway / Peleton protocol question

[rusto]

This came to mind while watching today's TDF stage: if I'm on a breakaway and am being absorbed back into the peleton, am I obliged to relegate myself to some position some distance from the front or can I slither in amongst the lead cyclists?

[michaelcole]

Are you being swamped by a peloton that is moving much faster than you? Or are you being gradually overtaken and are therefore able to easily take a position at the front?

The only protocol there is: do whatever you want as long as you are able to do it without impeding anyone else.

[gcdavid]

You can sometimes see people who try to reinsert themselves after being caught off the front, and this usually lasts about 3.5 seconds till they are spit back out.