Feels right for a beginner's race. There's nothing really at stake, most of the riders will be just trying it out, and there'd be a general lack of familiarity with blocking tactics.
Not to mention the overwhelming pressure of an sports anime protagonist behind you.
Can't help but think back to the "but you only want me as an accessory" line... The author is doing a great job making Keios's sincere attempts feel really hollow. He's doing all the "right" things, but out of a self-focused fear of losing her, and as a result is not even really looking at...