This is all way beyond me. I couldn't possibly understand all the nuances of this game.
I do know, however, that when I ride my bike, I seem to go faster when I'm down on the bars, in a more aerodynamic position, AND when I'm looking straight ahead rather than looking behind every couple of pedal strokes. And, I tend to go faster when I pedal ALL OUT, rather than just spin casually. Of course, I'm ATYPICAL.
I am, however, very much in agreement to some in this in a peripheral sense, as, if it were actually the case, the WHIP would serve no purpose in the game. And this would be a very good thing. I mean,
"in hand", "driving", "eased up", "all out", "heavy pressure", 'lasted" are all synonyms. 
Damn, the game just got a hell of a lot simpler in terms of vocabulary.