Let's have some fun. I made a simple map with a clever cut, but to my ability a very-well-executed cut run is equally fast as a very-well-executed nocut run. The paths differ wildly, the cut being far more difficult (trials style) and reusing the booster from near the start. See the GPS for an overview and try for yourself to see which you can do faster!
I hope to make more maps in this vein. Perhaps I will strike upon a map where even top players get the same time (statistically speaking) with either path. The longer the jury is out, the happier I am