View that activity’s chart, enable Target Power, and zoom in on the first set of red intervals performed under ERG control.
Do they look like this?
If so, that indicates a trainer transition-response issue that will short you on high/peak strain pts.
Next zoom in on the section where sprints were performed in Slope mode. How does that section compare?
Slope mode should allow you to hit the intended target (or exceed it) along with closely matching the duration.
For example:
You can experiment by riding an entire workout in Slope mode and see how it works.
You should be able to dial in a Slope % that allows you quickly shift up/down and hit work and rest intervals targets coupled with changes in cadence.
The only discrepancies will be deliberate (couldn’t hold a target) or flywheel spin-down dips like these.
Another advantage to Slope mode during a workout is you can make up for any missed intervals or gaps.
For example, had you added another interval or two to the workout (on your own) you could have boosted your high and peak scores. Switching to Slope mode allows you to do that.
For example, here’s me inserting “ghost intervals” into a workout when I saw I was coming up short on target durations for the three sets defined in the workout.
In an ideal world you’d be able to complete most workouts in AUTO mode at 100% intensity with close to 100% compliance. But if that’s not happening for any reason Slope mode is the solution which you can slip in/out of at any time.