You sure about that? Look at the move Mo has to make between the start of this video and 34 seconds in (25:24 race time). That is what being lane 1 gets you, you have to make moves like that because you get boxed. How many extra meters was that? How much energy did he use in that homestretch surge to get back to the front?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRFWEFVuTJw
Yeah, once you're in the lead you stay in lane 1. I agree.