Why not create an elite-level Ironman event that allows drafting?
IRONMAN TEAM RACING
Teams of 6. First 5 from each team across the finish line score. Points are awarded to finishers according to place: 1 point for 1st, 2 for second, etc. The scores from the first five finishers from each team are added to produce a team score. Lowest team score wins. A “perfect score” is 15. Draft-legal all the way. The draft-legal team event starts 15 minute prior to the individual pro start. Draft-legal team competitors are assigned 3-digit numbers beginning with “D” (D001, D002, etc), to distinguish them from non-draft competitors. A draft-legal team competitor who is overtaken by a non-draft-legal individual competitor may no longer draft. A team that is overtaken must immediately comply with non-drafting rules. In (c), drafting penalties are assessed against the entire team. For example, Team A “drops” a rider who is then overtaken by the leader of the individual race. Team A’s rider is caught drafting, and is assessed a 4-minute drafting penalty, which is applied to the Team A as a whole. Only when a draft-legal team or competitor is once again ahead and clear of the FIRST non-drafter may they resume drafting. Aid stations are neutral and provide nothing beyond what individuals get: gels, powerbars, bananas, Gatorade, water. Teams may place special needs bags at the mid-point aid stations on the bike and run legs. Teams get by only on what they carry, aside from what is provided at the neutral aid stations. A team member may provide support to another team member while on course. Any support a team uses other than that provided by the neutral aid stations must come from supplies carried by the team. Anything not covered in a and b above is classified as external assistance and disqualifies the entire team.
Obviously, the field size would have to be limited (that’s why it should be an elites-only event). There are likely to be a raft of other issues as well, but it could be fun…probably make for great TV, as well.