The controlled start is an interesting idea, but the fact that the diminished returns apply to everyone means that there still is an advantage to putting out higher wattages. A gap formed in the pack at the KISS start today and it was impossible to close because of the diminished returns.
I think that in order for this system to work, the diminished returns should only apply to those at the front of the pack. Those at the back should be allowed to close gaps. I don’t know whether it’d be possible to implement this as a distance from the first rider, but I think that’d be the best solution. Other ideas that may be easier is to only apply the diminished returns to the top 1/3d of the pack.