Trying to improve my red route lap time is nothing more than a bit of a nobble to myself.
In normal riding I actually never use Turbo and can knock out 1h 50m's without Turbo, no problem.
My mediocre lap time is ultimately limited by my ability in the technical and downhill sections (or rather lack of

)
So any half competent rider (or armour clad hero) should obliterate that time.
My 1h 43m personal best was down to two factors.
1. Experimenting with Turbo on the long uphill fire roads.
Theoretically EMTB mode puts out the same power, but only when matching your effort and cadence.
My theory, right or wrong, was that if I put it in Turbo for those sections, it would provide maximum assistance at minimum effort leaving me fresher to attack the next section.
2. I reckon the bigger factor on a regular lap was wind.
I am riding above the motor assistance threshold speed for the two long flat fire road sections, and it is a big effort.
On that PB day I had a massive tail wind on the long gravel transition road at the top. I knew it, I could feel it.
The reason my push bike time is only 20-30 min slower than assisted, is down to the speed I can maintain on those flat sections.
My hardtail is 15kg lighter than my Whyte
TBH I could probably manage 95% of Dalby Red on my semi slick shod Gravel/Road bike (The remaining 5% would defo kill me though)
PS I will take a flask too