Turbulence, Following and Overtaking
The less welcome consequence appeared behind the bikes. A machine that generates meaningful aerodynamic load also leaves a meaningful wake, and a following rider has to operate inside it. On a straight the slipstream is helpful, reducing drag and assisting a run at the bike ahead, which is the traditional way overtaking works on two wheels. In the braking zone and through corner entry the same disturbed air is a problem, because the follower's own aerodynamic devices are working in degraded flow and producing less of the front load their braking and turning now depends on.
That combination is awkward for racing. A rider can close on a straight and then find that the phase where they most need stability is the phase where they have least of it, and that the bike ahead can brake later than they can from directly behind it. The net effect is that following closely became less rewarding relative to how easy the tow makes it to get close, which is not the direction a racing series wants.
